IPL: Decoding batters with multiple IPL tons as non-opener
Suryakumar Yadav scored a sparkling hundred in Mumbai Indians' seven-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 55 of IPL 2024. The dashing batter smashed an unbeaten 102(51) as the five-time champions chased down 174. He became the third batter with multiple IPL tons as a non-opener. Here we decode batters with multiple centuries while batting at three or lower in IPL.
Second ton for SKY
The one against SRH was SKY's second century in IPL. The Mumbai Indians star dominated the SRH bowlers with a 51-ball 102*. His knock was laced with 12 fours and 6 sixes. His maiden IPL ton came against Gujarat Titans in 2023. SKY smashed an unbeaten 103 off 49 balls in that duel (11 fours and 6 sixes).
Ab de Villiers has three centuries in this regard
Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru ace AB de Villiers boasts three tons as a non-opener in IPL. His maiden one came while playing for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2009. He made an unbeaten 54-ball 105 versus Chennai Super Kings. In 2015, he scored an 59-ball 133* against Mumbai Indians. De Villiers also mustered a 52-ball 129* against the now-defunct Gujarat Lions in 2016.
Samson also features on this list
The only other batter with three IPL tons as a non-opener is Sanju Samson. His first hundred was against the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017. He made a 63-ball 102 while playing for Delhi. In 2019, Samson scored a 55-ball 102* versus SRH while representing Rajasthan Royals. The batter tallied 119 off 63 balls versus Punjab Kings in 2021.
What differentiates SKY from Samson and ABD?
It must be noted all of Samson and ABD's aforementioned centuries came while batting at number three. However, SKY batted at number four in the recent game against SRH. His ton against GT came while batting at three.
