Harry Brook is one of the most talented young batsmen in international cricket today. The English cricket star made his mark in the Indian Premier League when he scored a stunning century in 2023. This article explores everything about Harry Brook century in IPL, including the match details, his performance, records, and impact on the tournament. For cricket fans who want to know about this memorable innings, this comprehensive guide covers all aspects of his brilliant hundred.
Harry Brook Journey to IPL:
Harry Brook was born on February 22, 1999, in Keighley, West Yorkshire, England. He started playing cricket at a young age and quickly showed his talent with the bat. Brook made his first class debut for Yorkshire in 2016 when he was still in school. His aggressive batting style and ability to score runs quickly caught the attention of cricket experts around the world.
Before coming to IPL, Brook had already proven himself in various T20 leagues around the globe. He played for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred, Hobart Hurricanes in Big Bash League, and Lahore Qalandars in Pakistan Super League. In the PSL 2022 edition, he scored an unbeaten 102 runs off 49 balls for Lahore Qalandars against Islamabad United. This knock showed that he could handle pressure and perform in big matches.
In December 2022, Sunrisers Hyderabad bought Harry Brook for Rs 13.25 crore at the IPL auction. This was a huge amount for a player who had not played IPL before. The franchise showed great faith in his abilities and believed he could be a match winner for them. Brook was expected to strengthen the middle order batting lineup of SRH.
Brook made his IPL debut in 2023 season for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals. However, his start in the tournament was not good. In his first three matches, he could score only 29 runs combined. Many people started questioning whether he was worth the big price tag. But Brook stayed patient and kept working on his game, waiting for the right opportunity to prove his worth.
The Historic Century Against Kolkata Knight Riders:
On April 14, 2023, Harry Brook played one of the finest innings in IPL history. The match was between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. KKR won the toss and decided to bowl first. This decision gave Brook the chance to open the innings for SRH, and he made full use of this opportunity.
Brook started his innings in an aggressive manner. He was timing the ball beautifully and finding gaps in the field easily. In the first six overs, he had already smashed five fours and two sixes. The KKR bowlers tried different tactics but could not stop him. Brook showed great maturity in his shot selection and never looked in trouble.
The turning point came when Brook was dropped on 45 runs by Suyash Sharma off his own bowling. This was an easy catch that should have been taken, but the young leg spinner could not hold onto it. Brook made KKR pay dearly for this mistake. He reached his fifty off just 32 balls and then accelerated even further.
When Brook was on 61 runs, there was another crucial moment. Lockie Ferguson appealed for a caught behind decision, and the umpire gave him out. However, Brook immediately reviewed the decision. The UltraEdge technology showed there was no bat involved, and the decision was overturned. This reprieve allowed him to continue his brilliant innings.
Brook completed his century off 55 balls with 12 fours and 3 sixes. He remained unbeaten on 100 runs, helping SRH post a massive total of 228 for 4 wickets in 20 overs. This was the highest team total in IPL 2023 at that time. Brook was rightly awarded the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.
| Match Details | Statistics | Value |
| Date | Runs Scored | 100* |
| April 14, 2023 | Balls Faced | 55 |
| Opposition | Fours | 12 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Sixes | 3 |
| Venue | Strike Rate | 181.81 |
| Eden Gardens, Kolkata | Team Total | 228/4 |
| Match Result | Award | Player of the Match |
| SRH won by 23 runs | Runs from Boundaries | 66 |
Records Created by Harry Brook Century:
Harry Brook century in the IPL created several important records. First and foremost, it was the first century of the IPL 2023 season. Before Brook, Shikhar Dhawan had come closest to scoring a hundred when he remained unbeaten on 99 runs for Punjab Kings against SRH earlier in the tournament. Brook became the player who finally broke the century barrier in that season.
This innings made Harry Brook the first player ever to score a century in both IPL and PSL. He had already scored 102 runs not out in Pakistan Super League for Lahore Qalandars. Achieving this feat in two different premier T20 leagues showed his versatility and ability to adapt to different conditions. No other cricketer had accomplished this before him.
Brook became only the third Sunrisers Hyderabad player to score an IPL century. Before him, only David Warner and Jonny Bairstow had achieved this milestone for SRH. David Warner, the former captain, had scored multiple hundreds for the franchise. Jonny Bairstow, the English wicketkeeper batsman, had also scored a century during his time with SRH. Brook joined this elite list with his brilliant knock.
The total of 228 for 4 wickets that SRH posted was the highest team score in IPL 2023 at that point. Brook contribution of 100 runs meant he scored 43.8 percent of the team total. His partnership with Aiden Markram, who scored 50 runs off 26 balls, was crucial. Together they put on a strong stand that completely dominated the KKR bowlers.
Match Situation and Impact:
The match situation made Brook innings even more special. Sunrisers Hyderabad had not been performing well in the tournament and needed a big win to boost their confidence. Brook himself was under pressure after failing in the first three matches. Many critics had started questioning whether spending Rs 13.25 crore on him was justified.
After KKR won the toss and chose to bowl first, SRH needed a strong start. Brook opened the innings and took the attack to KKR bowlers from the first ball. He targeted Umesh Yadav and Lockie Ferguson, both fast bowlers, in the powerplay overs. Brook scored quickly during the first six overs, putting pressure back on KKR.
When the spinners came on to bowl, Brook showed his smart cricket brain. He knew that attacking every ball was not necessary. Instead, he focused on rotating the strike and finding singles and doubles. This allowed Aiden Markram to play his natural aggressive game from the other end. Markram smashed 42 runs off 22 balls against the KKR spinners.
In the death overs, Brook accelerated again. Even though he was tiring by then, he managed to find the energy to complete his century. His ability to pace the innings perfectly showed great maturity for a young player. The total of 228 runs put enormous pressure on KKR in the chase. Although Nitish Rana scored 75 runs and Rinku Singh scored 58 runs not out, KKR could only reach 205 for 7 wickets.
Technical Analysis of the Innings:
From a technical perspective, Harry Brook century was a masterclass in T20 batting. He displayed a wide range of shots throughout his innings. Against fast bowlers, he used the upper cut, pull shot, and straight drives effectively. His timing was so good that even defensive pushes went for boundaries on the fast Eden Gardens outfield.
Brook footwork was excellent throughout the innings. He moved quickly into position for every delivery. Against short balls, he transferred his weight onto the back foot smoothly. For fuller deliveries, he came forward confidently and drove through the line. This balance in footwork made it difficult for bowlers to set a consistent line and length.
One remarkable aspect of his innings was how he handled the KKR spinners. Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy are both quality spinners who can turn the ball and deceive batsmen. Brook respected them by not trying to hit every ball for six. Instead, he used his feet to get to the pitch of the ball, played with soft hands, and rotated the strike cleverly.
Brook also showed great game awareness. He knew that Eden Gardens has a fast outfield and shorter boundaries on certain sides. He targeted these areas specifically. Out of his 100 runs, 66 came from boundaries. This meant he ran only 34 runs, which helped him conserve energy for the later stages of the innings. Smart cricketers understand these small details that make a big difference.
Comparison with Other Great IPL Centuries:
Many memorable centuries have been scored in the Indian Premier League, each special for different reasons such as speed, dominance, or match context. The century by Harry Brook stands out not just for strike rate, but for the pressure, opposition quality, and the fact that he remained unbeaten. Here is how his innings compares with some of the most iconic IPL hundreds.
| Player | Score | Balls | Strike Rate | Team | What Made It Special? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Brook | 100* | 55 | 181.81 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Played a complete innings, stayed aggressive throughout, handled top bowlers, scored under pressure |
| Chris Gayle | 100* | 30 | 333.33 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | Fastest IPL century ever, unmatched power hitting dominance |
| AB de Villiers | 100* | 43 | 232+ | Royal Challengers Bangalore | Innovative stroke play, destructive finishing ability |
| David Warner | 126 | 59 | 213+ | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Blend of stability and aggression, one of the best SRH knocks |
| Jonny Bairstow | 114 | 56 | 203+ | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Dominated bowling from start, strong powerplay control |
Brook’s hundred may not be the fastest, but its context, composure, and unbeaten finish place it among the most impactful IPL centuries.
Life After the Century:
After scoring the century, Harry Brook faced a different challenge. Many players struggle to maintain their form after a big innings because expectations become very high. Unfortunately for Brook, he could not replicate this performance in the remaining matches of IPL 2023. He scored only 48 more runs in the rest of the season, which was disappointing.
In November 2023, Sunrisers Hyderabad released Harry Brook from their squad. This decision surprised many cricket fans who remembered his brilliant century. However, franchise cricket is a tough business where consistent performances matter more than one off brilliance. SRH decided to look for other options in their batting lineup.
Delhi Capitals bought Harry Brook in the IPL 2024 mini auction held in December 2023 in Dubai. The franchise paid Rs 6.25 crore for his services, which was less than half of what SRH had paid. Brook joined Delhi Capitals hoping to prove himself again. However, he did not play many matches in IPL 2024 as he withdrew to manage his workload and focus on England commitments.
In April 2025, Harry Brook was named captain of the England cricket team in ODI and T20I formats. This was a huge honor and showed how highly the England cricket board rated him. He started his captaincy by whitewashing the West Indies in both ODI and T20I series. Brook withdrew from IPL 2025 to focus on his new leadership role and international commitments with England.
Harry Brook Complete IPL Career Statistics:
Looking at Harry Brook’s overall IPL career, his century remains the highlight. While his overall numbers in IPL are not as impressive as his century might suggest, that one innings showed what he is capable of when everything clicks. Below is a comprehensive table showing his IPL journey across different seasons.
| Season | Team | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Highest Score |
| 2023 | SRH | 6 | 148 | 24.66 | 157.4 | 100* |
| 2024 | DC | 5 | 42 | 8.40 | 72.4 | 13 |
| Career Total | 11 | 190 | 17.27 | 125.0 | 100* |
The statistics show that Brook IPL career has been a mixed bag. His brilliant century in 2023 pushed his average and strike rate for that season to impressive levels. However, his struggles in IPL 2024 brought down his overall numbers. The contrast between his highest score of 100 not out and his second highest of just 13 runs shows how inconsistent he has been in the tournament.
Conclusion:
Harry Brook’s century in the IPL remains one of the most memorable innings of IPL 2023. His unbeaten 100 runs off 55 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens was a masterclass in T20 batting. The innings came at a crucial time when he was under pressure after three low scores. Brook showed great character and skill to bounce back with such a brilliant performance.
The century created several records including being the first hundred of IPL 2023, making Brook the first player to score centuries in both IPL and PSL, and helping SRH post the highest team total of that season. His strike rate of 181.81, which included 12 fours and 3 sixes, demonstrated his aggressive yet controlled batting style.
While Harry Brook could not maintain this form throughout his IPL career, this innings proved that he has the talent and temperament to succeed at the highest level. As he continues his international career with England and takes on the captaincy role, cricket fans will always remember his stunning century that lit up IPL 2023. The innings will remain an inspiration for young cricketers showing how to handle pressure and perform when it matters most.
FAQs:
Harry Brook scored his IPL century on April 14, 2023, against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. He scored 100 runs not out off 55 balls.
Harry Brook hit 12 fours and 3 sixes in his century innings. Out of his 100 runs, 66 runs came from boundaries.
Harry Brook was playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad when he scored the century. SRH had bought him for Rs 13.25 crore in the IPL 2023 auction.
Brook became the first player to score centuries in both IPL and PSL. His century was the first hundred of IPL 2023. He also became the third SRH player to score an IPL century after David Warner and Jonny Bairstow.
Harry Brook withdrew from IPL 2025 to focus on his England commitments. He was named captain of England ODI and T20I teams in April 2025 and decided to manage his workload by skipping IPL.
Kiran is a cricket analyst and writer with strong expertise in the Indian Premier League and modern cricket. He closely follows match situations, player performances, team strategies, and season trends to deliver clear and accurate insights. Passionate about the game, Kiran enjoys exploring emerging talents, tracking auction movements, and sharing timely updates related to IPL and competitive cricket.
