In the high-voltage arena of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where cricketing legends like Virat Kohli draw legions of fans and hog the limelight with their exploits, it takes something extraordinary for a newcomer to make everyone sit up and take notice. Enter Will Jacks, the 25-year-old English sensation making his debut in the IPL, who managed just that with a jaw-dropping display of power hitting on April 28th.
Playing alongside the iconic former IPL skipper Kohli, Jacks truly stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight, eclipsing the batting maestro himself. While Kohli’s blistering fifty, crafted in a mere 32 balls, was a masterclass in domination against the Gujarat Titans’ spin trio of Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and R Sai Kishore, Jacks’ own climb to his half-century only needed one ball fewer than the esteemed run-scoring titan of the IPL.
Yet, the story was far from over. Demonstrating a remarkable acceleration, Jacks not only chalked up his fifty in just 41 balls but also shattered a few records with his scintillating effort as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) attained the quickest 200-plus chase in the history of the tournament. The young debutant’s 41-ball centurion performance is now etched in the books as the fifth-fastest century in IPL history and the second-fastest by an RCB batsman—a record only bested by Chris Gayle’s staggering 30-ball hundred 11 years prior.
Even more astounding was Jacks’ smashing his second fifty in the princely sum of just 10 deliveries, snatching the honor of the minimum number of balls taken to vault from 50 to 100 in the IPL—a feat even the great Gayle had not managed, taking 13 balls.
The English batting firebrand’s journey to his ton did not start with all guns blazing, as he initially struggled to time the ball against GT’s spin machines. However, once Jacks found his rhythm, dispatching Mohit Sharma for a six and a four, he became an unstoppable force. With Kohli providing support with a solid 70* off 44, the stage was set for Jacks to launch an offensive, scoring a mammoth 84 off the final 25 deliveries he faced.
This triumph not only showcased Jacks’ might with the bat but also his versatility, as a capable off-spinner who once took a six-wicket haul in Test cricket, potentially filling the void left by Glenn Maxwell in the RCB lineup. While RCB may have introduced Jacks a tad late in the season, his explosive entrance has undoubtedly left a lasting impression and could very well breathe new life into their campaign, leaving opponents gasping in the wake of his power-hitting prowess.
In addition to his IPL heroics, Jacks is no stranger to T20 success, having etched his name as the first century-maker in The Hundred and boasting tons in both the SA20 and the Bangladesh Premier League. As the Indian crowds witnessed Jacks’ maiden IPL foray, they got a glimpse of what can rightfully be termed a ‘mad man’s’ rampage with the bat.
This breakout performance may serve as just a thrilling introduction for the English star in the IPL. If his record-breaking innings is anything to go by, Jacks may continue to light up the tournament for years to come, combining ferocious hitting with useful off-spin, thus embarking on a path that could see him emulate or even surpass the stalwarts of this grand cricketing carnival.
