Tilak Varma Equals Mumbai Indians Record With 45-Ball Century Against Gujarat Titans
Mumbai Indians middle-order batsman Tilak Varma registered an unbeaten 101 off 45 deliveries against the Gujarat Titans during their Indian Premier League 2026 matchup. Arriving at the crease at No. 5 following an early top-order collapse, Varma executed a highly calculated counterattack to tie Sanath Jayasuriya’s 2008 record for the fastest century in franchise history.
Overcoming Early Pressure
The Mumbai Indians found themselves struggling in the powerplay as the Gujarat Titans pace attack utilized the new ball effectively. Varma initiated his innings with extreme caution, managing just 17 runs from his first 20 deliveries while stabilizing the innings. Following the initial stabilization phase, he dramatically increased his scoring rate, amassing 84 runs off his subsequent 25 balls.
Innings Progression
Varma struck seven sixes and eight fours during his time at the crease. His scoring acceleration is detailed below:
| Deliveries Faced | Runs Scored | Strike Rate in Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1-10 | 10 | 100.00 |
| 11-20 | 7 | 70.00 |
| 21-30 | 30 | 300.00 |
| 31-40 | 33 | 330.00 |
| 41-45 | 21 | 420.00 |
Historic Franchise Statistics
Reaching the hundred-run mark on the final delivery of the innings, Varma joined an exclusive list of Mumbai Indians players. His 45-ball century directly equals the longstanding franchise record established during the inaugural 2008 season.
Fastest Centuries for Mumbai Indians
| Balls | Player | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Chennai Super Kings | Wankhede Stadium | 2008 |
| 45 | Tilak Varma | Gujarat Titans | Narendra Modi Stadium | 2026 |
| 47 | Cameron Green | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Wankhede Stadium | 2023 |
| 49 | Suryakumar Yadav | Gujarat Titans | Wankhede Stadium | 2023 |
Joining Elite Company at No. 5
Scoring a century from the middle order remains a rare feat in T20 cricket due to limited deliveries. According to ESPNcricinfo historical data, Varma is now one of the few players to score an IPL century batting at No. 5 or lower. He joins a specialized group of middle-order hitters:
- Yusuf Pathan (Rajasthan Royals)
- David Miller (Kings XI Punjab)
- Ben Stokes (Rising Pune Supergiant)
- Tilak Varma (Mumbai Indians)
Entering this fixture, Varma experienced a noticeable dip in form, accumulating only 43 runs across five prior innings in the 2026 tournament. This 101-run performance effectively answers questions regarding his strike rotation and power-hitting capabilities under pressure, re-establishing his position as a core asset in the Mumbai Indians batting lineup.