Ian Bishop in Awe of Suryavanshi’s ‘Otherworldly’ Ton: ‘I Don’t Care Whether Bowlers Served Him Oranges'”

April 29, 2025: Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop was left almost speechless after witnessing the extraordinary innings from 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi in Rajasthan Royals’ chase against Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Suryavanshi’s record-breaking century, which came off just 38 balls, sent shockwaves across the cricketing world. His blistering knock helped Rajasthan Royals chase down a daunting 210-run target in style, securing an 8-wicket victory and ending their five-match losing streak.

During the match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Suryavanshi’s performance was nothing short of phenomenal. His 101 runs, the fastest-ever by an Indian in IPL history, was only the second-fastest in IPL history after Chris Gayle’s iconic 30-ball century. The youngster’s ability to clear the ropes with such ease, even against seasoned bowlers like Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna, had the cricketing world in awe.

In an appearance on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show, Bishop, a former West Indies fast bowler, praised Suryavanshi’s “otherworldly” performance, admitting that he struggled to find the right words to describe the incredible feat. “I don’t care what GT served up [with the ball] on a platter; the kid is 14 years old! He demolished what was served to him tonight,” Bishop said. He also noted that the knock was a significant moment for Indian cricket, especially as young talent is now being nurtured in a much more fearless environment than in the past.

Bishop further highlighted how a cultural shift in Indian cricket has allowed younger players, like Suryavanshi and others such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, to showcase their talent without the fear of failure. “They are allowing young players to come in, most franchises, and be free, be fearless. That’s a big shift in Indian cricket,” Bishop noted, reflecting on how the game has evolved to support players to take risks and express themselves.

Suryavanshi’s historic knock will go down in IPL lore, not just for its timing but also for its impact. At just 14 years old, he has shown maturity beyond his years, handling pressure, and playing with a fearlessness that is rare even among seasoned professionals. The IPL is fast becoming a platform for young talent to thrive, and with performances like Suryavanshi’s, it’s clear that the future of Indian cricket is in very good hands.

Bishop wrapped up his analysis by acknowledging the sheer brilliance of the knock. “Tonight was absolutely mind-blowing, otherworldly. I hope we don’t go too far with praising him, but you cannot step back from the fact that what he did was extraordinary,” he added, underscoring the magnitude of Suryavanshi’s performance.

As the IPL season progresses, all eyes will be on this prodigious talent as he continues to break records and inspire a new generation of cricketers.