OPINION
Follow UsAt the 2022 IPL Mega Auction, the 28-year-old Indore batter Rajat Patidar went unsold. In fact, he wasn’t even considered by franchises in the accelerated auction but as history would have it, Patidar has made a big impression when Royal Challengers Bangalore needed it the most.
When the 22-year-old Luvnith Sisodia was injured, RCB immediately made the move to bring Patidar back into the fold. And the rest now is history. Walking in at 4/1, with the entire hope and expectation on the shoulders of Virat Kohli, there was Patidar slowly sculpting the perfect art, a century of the highest order.
Throughout the innings, the right-hander ensured that the run rate never slipped and constantly was chipping the bad deliveries to the lengths and depth of the boundaries at the Eden Gardens. Even without the helmet, Patidar showed great swagger smacking both Lucknow spinners.
We look back at some of the memorable centuries scored by uncapped talents in the Indian Premier League
Shaun Marsh – 115 (69) against Rajasthan Royals in 2008
On May 28, 2008, the world was introduced to the madness of a 24-year-old Australian Shaun Marsh. While Australia were well aware of the exploits of the southpaw, he showed the Indian fans the first-hand experience of the Shaun Marsh show. After being put to bat first, Marsh took off against fellow Australian, Shane Watson before taking on every single Royals’ bowler in his way.
During his knock, he left no stone unturned, including smashing the likes of the Royals spinners, Dinesh Salunkhe and Yusuf Pathan. A century off 57 balls, Marsh launched himself into the heart of the Punjab fans. What an introduction to world cricket!
Manish Pandey – 114* (73) against Deccan Chargers in 2009
When Manish Pandey brought up the three-figure mark, it was a headline. It was headline-worthy considering how the youngster was the first Indian uncapped player to bring up a century in the Indian Premier League. He was just 19 at that time, just 19! That was really the day when the IPL gods would have been at their happiest self, considering how brought his A-game against a tough bowling attack.
#OnThisDay in 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣9️⃣, Manish Pandey became the first Indian to score a century in the #IPL, with a brilliant 1️⃣1️⃣4️⃣(73) to help RCB beat Deccan Chargers by 1️⃣2️⃣ runs. 🤩#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/COVR1TJpqt
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) May 21, 2021
Out of 170 runs that RCB scored that night, 114 came off Pandey’s blade, who smashed ten boundaries and four sixes, at a strike rate of 156.16 during his 73-ball stay at the crease. To take on the likes of Ryan Harris, RP Singh, and Pragyan Ojha, against the eventual champions, Pandey’s innings is really the path-breaking century in IPL history.
Paul Valthaty – 120* (63) against Chennai Super Kings in 2011
Chasing 189 against a champion side like Chennai Super Kings is a tough task. On a day where only 72 runs were scored by the rest of the Kings XI Punjab batting unit, Paul Valthaty’s knock of 120 is just a gift of the highest order. It is perhaps remembered as one of the best innings by an uncapped player, such is the historical relevance of the century in IPL history.
Even when wickets were falling left, right and centre, Valthaty kept Punjab always in the hunt. His knock was so special that his skipper Adam Gilchrist at the post-match presentation, stated “I loved standing around and watching Paul go today.” During his blitzkrieg, Valthaty scored 19 boundaries and two sixes, smacking the ball at a strike rate of 190. On a day where others faltered, Valthaty’s knock was a testament to IPL’s biggest strength – Indian uncapped talents.
Devdutt Padikkal – 101* (52) against Rajasthan Royals in 2021
While the above three names might be a long time back in the past, Devdutt Padikkal’s century against Rajasthan Royals, his current side is one remembered. Some people remember it for Virat Kohli’s selfless attitude, with the then RCB skipper lauding the efforts of the then uncapped player’s century. On a true batting surface at the Wankhede, Padikkal launched an assault, reminding everyone of his exploits in the shortest format.
Having shown his game day in and day out at the domestic level, it was the first time the left-hander brought up the three-figure mark on the biggest stage – the IPL. His life, ever since has changed for the good and his knock, was a special one. Chasing 178, Padikkal made a mockery of the Royals’ bowling unit, with 11 boundaries and six sixes, striking at 194.23. It wasn’t funky from the southpaw but pure plain classic cricket. Padikkal’s knock still remains a reminder of IPL’s success.
Ruturaj Gaikwad – 101* (60) against Rajasthan Royals in 2021
Even though the Royals battered and bruised the Super Kings in his particular encounter, it will always be remembered for the 24-year-old Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad had a season to forget in the first half of the campaign, with runs not at all coming his way. However, once the venue for the IPL was shifted to the Middle East, Gaikwad transformed into a beast.
Gaikwad’s century had it all, it had outrageous sixes, blissful boundaries and more importantly, showed why running between the wickets is of utmost importance. Despite losing partners at regular intervals from the other end, Gaikwad continued his assault and ensured that the Super Kings got to 189 at the end of their innings. It was the first century for Gaikwad and truly, it was the day that many people realised the potential of the right-hander.
The 24-year-old then went on to win the Orange Cap, with 635 runs, after struggling for most part of the first half of the IPL season.
