On Saturday, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli hit his eighth century in the Indian Premier League for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Rajasthan Royals. His century, which came off 67 deliveries, was tied for the slowest in the competition's history. Manish Pandey, the first Indian to score a hundred in the IPL, holds the unceremonious record for his century in 2009.
Manish Pandey: The First Indian IPL Centurian
Manish Pandey has a special place in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He holds the distinction of being the first Indian player to score a century in the competition.
Pandey's Historic Century
Pandey's historic knock came in 2009, during the inaugural season of the IPL. Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), he smashed an unbeaten 114 off 73 balls against the Deccan Chargers. His innings was a swashbuckling display of power and timing, and it helped RCB secure a comprehensive victory.
Background Information
Before the IPL's inception, Pandey was a promising young batsman in the domestic circuit. He had represented India at the Under-19 level and had shown glimpses of his potential. However, the IPL provided him with a platform to showcase his skills on a grand stage.
The Slowest IPL Century
While Pandey's century was a historic achievement, it also holds the unfortunate distinction of being the slowest in IPL history. It took him 67 deliveries to reach the milestone, which is tied with Virat Kohli's century on Saturday for RCB against Rajasthan Royals.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who is the first Indian player to score an IPL century? A: Manish Pandey
2. When did Pandey score his historic century? A: 2009, during the inaugural IPL season
3. Who was he playing for when he scored the century? A: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
4. How many balls did it take Pandey to score his century? A: 67
5. Who holds the record for the slowest IPL century? A: Manish Pandey and Virat Kohli (tied)
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