The 19th season of the Indian Premier League, IPL 2026, has become a landmark edition in the history of T20 cricket. This season has been characterized by an unprecedented surge in high scores, with teams consistently crossing the 200-run mark. The competitive nature of the tournament reached new heights as these massive totals weren't only set but also successfully chased down on multiple occasions. While fans had to wait a considerable amount of time for the first century of the season, once the floodgates opened, there was no looking back. However, what transpired this season is something that has never occurred in the previous 18 editions of the league. This unique record was finally established following a magnificent century by Royal Challengers Bengaluru's star batter, Virat Kohli.
Virat Kohli's 9th Century and the All-Team Milestone
Virat Kohli, the cornerstone of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, delivered a masterclass against Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring his 9th IPL century. This innings wasn't just a personal milestone for Kohli but also a historic moment for the league. With this century, IPL 2026 became the first-ever season in the history of the Indian Premier League where players from all 10 participating franchises have scored at least one century. Kohli's brilliant knock ensured that RCB joined the list of teams with a centurion this season, completing the set for all ten teams. This achievement highlights the incredible batting depth and talent present across all franchises in the 19th season.
The Century Trail Started by Sanju Samson
The journey towards this historic record began with Chennai Super Kings, for whom Sanju Samson struck the first century of the season. Samson's form has been exceptional, as he has already notched up two centuries for CSK in this edition. Following his lead, batsmen from every other team began to find their rhythm and reach the triple-figure mark, while the season saw a perfect blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talents making their mark on the big stage. The consistency with which centuries were scored after the initial delay became one of the defining themes of IPL 2026.
Franchise-wise Century Breakdown
Mumbai Indians have been particularly dominant in the century department this year. The five-time champions saw three of their players—Quinton de Kock, Tilak Varma, and Ryan Rickelton—reaching the hundred-run milestone. Gujarat Titans also made their presence felt through Sai Sudharsan, who played a stellar knock to bring up his century. For Sunrisers Hyderabad, the explosive Abhishek Sharma was the one to achieve this feat, showcasing his aggressive batting style. Each team contributed to this collective record, proving that the gap between the sides has narrowed Importantly in terms of batting firepower.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi's Record-Breaking Performance
One of the most talked-about moments of the season came from the Rajasthan Royals camp. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the youngest centurion in IPL history at just 15 years old, played a breathtaking innings. He smashed a century in just 36 balls, leaving the cricketing world in awe of his talent. His fearless approach has been a highlight for the Royals. Meanwhile, even teams that struggled in the points table had their moments of individual brilliance. Mitchell Marsh scored a century for Lucknow Super Giants, even as the team fell out of the playoff race, ensuring their name was part of this historic season record.
The record was further bolstered by KL Rahul, who scored a crucial century for Delhi Capitals amidst a challenging season for the franchise. Also, Cooper Connolly delivered a spectacular performance for Punjab Kings, hitting a century that ensured his team wasn't left out of this unique statistical achievement. IPL 2026 will be remembered as the season where every franchise boasted a centurion, a testament to the evolving nature of the game and the high standards of batting. Virat Kohli's century against KKR served as the final piece of the puzzle, cementing this season's place in the history books.
