Former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu has backed Vaibhav Suryavanshi to break the fastest IPL century record after RR claimed a thumping 47-run win against SRH at New Chandigarh on Wednesday. 

The left-hander has impressed with his pyrotechnics and scored a fantastic knock of 97 runs off just 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminator.

The young batter has already scored two IPL centuries in his short career, reaching one in 35 balls and the other in 36 balls. Sooryavanshi was just one boundary away from breaking Chris Gayle’s record of scoring the fastest IPL century off 30 balls but he was dismissed three runs short of his hundred.

Rayudu said on ESPN Cricinfo, “Yes, Vaibhav can be a future superstar because he has a shot for every delivery. It’s not just a shot but a six. He can smash sixes off any bowler, and that too very easily. No line or length troubles him. No balls trouble him. I think he’s a lot of time and he’ll only get better in the future.

“Yes, he has extra time and his stance is open to access the off-side and when the bat comes through the line. So, it shows he’s improving. He’ll surely break the record with a 20 or 25-ball 100; he can also be the only player to score 200 in T20. I think that day is not too far away as well.”

Rayudu highlighted that barring Suryavanshi, all the other batters struggled against short-pitch deliveries on the New Chandigarh pitch.

He added, “On that pitch, all batters were late against short-length balls, but he was hitting easily towards mid-wicket or straight. He’s a very special player. I have not seen such batting in my life.

“Pat Cummins bowled all his variations, and Vaibhav hit sixes against all those deliveries. A seasoned fast bowler had to give up, but there is no end to Vaibhav’s options. Over the last few years, we haven’t seen such players. It might be that Viv Richards used to dominate like this during his era, but in recent times, only Suryvanshi is making bowlers fearful.”

RR will take on GT in the second qualifier on Friday.