Ajay Jadeja Slams Shubman Gill for Calling Vaibhav Suryavanshi Century ‘Lucky

The cricketing world stood still as 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi etched his name into the IPL history books with a thunderous 101 off just 38 balls — a record-breaking knock that redefined precocious talent. But what should have been an uncontested celebration of brilliance was clouded by a controversial remark from Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill, who referred to the innings as the product of a “lucky day.”

Gill’s remark, seemingly casual but heavily loaded, didn’t sit well with many — including former India cricketer and respected voice of reason Ajay Jadeja, who made his displeasure public, firmly standing up for the teenage sensation.

Suryavanshi’s Phenomenal Knock: Beyond Luck, Into Legacy

Playing for Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s performance wasn’t just a high-scoring innings — it was a moment that sent shockwaves through global cricket. His 101-run blitz included 8 fours and 11 sixes, dismantling India’s most experienced bowlers — Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma, Prasidh Krishna, and Karim Janat — with a fearless display that defied both his age and the pressure of the occasion.

Opening alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, the teenager put on a massive 166-run stand, chasing down 210 with astonishing ease — and 25 balls to spare.

It was the kind of performance that comes once in a generation. Or perhaps, once ever — considering no player, at 14 years and 32 days, has ever scored a T20 century in a professional match. Until now.

Gill’s ‘Lucky Day’ Remark Sparks Outrage

However, post-match, when asked to reflect on Suryavanshi’s innings, Shubman Gill — one of Indian cricket’s most stylish and promising batters — gave a remark that instantly caught attention:

“It was his (lucky) day. His hitting was just tremendous, and he made full use of his day.”

The implication that Suryavanshi’s knock was more luck than skill didn’t go unnoticed — especially not by former cricketers who understand the mental and physical demands of elite cricket.

Ajay Jadeja’s Blistering Response: “You Don’t Say That About a 14-Year-Old”

Speaking on JioStar, Ajay Jadeja did not hold back as he criticized Gill’s comment, calling it dismissive and unfair — especially towards a player who had just rewritten history.

“A 14-year-old to believe in himself the way he did… and to take it that far? Even if someone thinks it was one lucky day — like some player on TV just said — that’s not just luck. That’s self-belief, that’s courage, that’s talent.”

Jadeja, known for his nuanced cricketing insight, emphasized that Suryavanshi didn’t fluke his way to a century. His innings was constructed through aggressive intent, excellent bat speed, and audacious shot selection against high-quality opposition.

“All of us who played cricket — we dreamt of doing something like this. Whether it was in our living rooms or while playing with friends. At 14, we had dreams. This kid is living the dream. That deserves more than being called ‘lucky.’”

Praise for Coaching Staff and Management

Jadeja was also quick to credit the Rajasthan Royals think tank, including Vikram Rathore and Rahul Dravid, for giving Suryavanshi the space to flourish.

“The mindset of the coaching staff, to allow him to go out and express himself without fear — that’s what impressed me. That’s how you build stars. He’s not being held back or micromanaged. He’s being allowed to flow.”

Jadeja lauded the Royals’ setup for creating a nurturing ecosystem, especially during the strategic timeout, where instead of reining in the teenager’s aggression, they encouraged him to keep going.

What Gill Missed: The Bigger Picture

While Shubman Gill’s comment may not have been malicious, Jadeja’s reaction — and the larger cricketing community’s response — speaks to a growing sentiment about how young talent is perceived.

Suryavanshi’s innings wasn’t perfect — 38% of his shots were false strokes — but that’s not the point. The hallmark of greatness isn’t perfection. It’s the fearlessness to commit to your shots, the strength to rise after mistiming one, and the ability to dominate even when the odds are against you.

To reduce such a performance to luck, especially when coming from a senior India player like Gill, risks demoralizing a teenager who is only beginning to discover his potential.

Conclusion: The Cricketing World Must Champion, Not Diminish

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s name will now forever be etched into the records of the IPL and T20 cricket at large. At 14, he did what most cricketers only dream of at 24. Whether his next few games are quiet or explosive, this was not a fluke.

As Ajay Jadeja rightly pointed out — this is more than luck. This is history in the making.

Instead of throwing shade, Indian cricket’s senior voices must nurture this spark — for in Suryavanshi, India may just have discovered its next phenomenon.