Will Jacks breaks Chris Gayle's 11-year-old record with never-seen-before acceleration in IPL history to leave Virat Kohli stunned

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Will Jacks was sluggish early in his innings but accelerated like no other batter in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history after reaching his half-century. Jacks went after Gujarat Titans’ (GT) Mohit Sharma and Rashid Khan to reach his century from just 41 deliveries. From fifty to hundred, he took just 10 balls, the lowest any batter in the league’s history. 
 

The previous record belonged to former RCB opener Chris Gayle. The explosive West Indies batter took just 13 balls to get to 100 runs after reaching his fifty. Gayle did it against now-defunct Pune Warriors India in 2013 edition of IPL. He went on to score an unbeaten 175, the highest individual score in T20 history. 
 

Jacks' 41-ball century is the fifth-fastest century in IPL. It is also the fastest by an England batter. The previous record belonged to Punjab Kings' (PBKS) Jonny Bairstow who reached the milestone against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the record-breaking run chase at Eden Gardens on April 26.

Record-breaking partnership

Jacks reached his half-century with a six off the second ball bowled by Mohit in the 15th over. He followed it up with two sixes and a four. After Mohit's 29-run over, Jacks got the strike on the second ball against Rashid. He hit Rashid for four sixes and a four. The six-hitting left Virat Kohli stunned as he celebrating his partner's century. The Englishman remained unbeaten for 41-ball 100 laced with five fours and 10 sixes. The 25-year-old shared a 166-run partnership for the second wicket with Kohli, the highest against GT.
 

Jacks explains acceleration

“Amazing feeling right now. Faf [Du Plessis] and Virat got us off to a very good start. I struggled early on, but Virat kept his intensity up and gave me the chance to find my rhythm. Once we had the time-out, we said, "let's get two really good overs here and we win the game." Once that happened, I just kept going and amazing feeling right now. I was trying to be positive (against spin early on), was just struggling. I was trying to overhit the ball, probably little bit tensed. Once I got one away off Mohit, I relaxed, got into my innings and then just trusted myself. Next game, hopefully I do that earlier,” Jacks who was adjudged ‘Player of the match’ said in the post-match presentation. 
 

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