On April 24, 2008, the late Andrew Symonds carved his name into IPL history with a brutal unbeaten 117 against Rajasthan Royals—only to watch victory slip away in the dying moments
The Indian Premier League had just begun to breathe in 2008. With floodlights cutting through early summer nights and stadiums packed to the rafters, cricket was experiencing its own rock concert. Big names had arrived, big money had exchanged hands, and expectations were heavier than a packed kit bag. But amidst the hype and heat, Match Number 9 in Hyderabad wasn't just another clash—it was the night Andrew Symonds went into beast mode.
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It wasn't a match you'd forget. Not when the season's most expensive overseas signing decided to earn every dollar of his $1.35 million tag in one breathless knock. Symonds walked in when the Deccan Chargers were wobbling. By the time he walked out, Hyderabad had posted a mighty 214 against RR. But the twist? They still lost.
When Symonds came out to bat, Deccan was already two wickets down inside three overs. Adam Gilchrist (13) and Shahid Afridi (10) had fallen cheaply, and the Royals were roaring. But Symonds didn't just counter-punch—he launched a full-blown assault. Batting at number four, he brought composure first, chaos later.
The right-hander utilised the width, cleared his front leg, and pounced on anything loose. He put his weight behind every drive and pulled with the menace of a man who had no intention of settling for singles.
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He reached his hundred in 47 balls with a towering six over long-on—against none other than Shane Warne, the Royals' captain. The shot encapsulated his mood. No celebration, no fist pump. Just a stare. Like a storm that didn't need thunder to make itself heard.
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Symonds' unbeaten 117 came off just 53 balls. He struck 11 fours and 7 sixes, dismantling the Royals' bowling attack with alarming ease. His strike rate that evening? A monstrous 220.75.
That century wasn't just quick—it was brutal, clean, and calculated. In context, that 117* remains one of the highest individual scores in the inaugural IPL season.
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Despite Symonds' carnage and Deccan's imposing total of 214/5, the Rajasthan Royals pulled off a heist. In what became a thrilling run chase, Shane Warne flipped the script. With RR needing 12 runs off the final over, the Aussie maestro belted his compatriot Symonds for two consecutive sixes, sealing a famous win.
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Amid all the fireworks, Symonds could only stand still, watching the ball sail into the night. This marked Deccan's third consecutive defeat and perhaps one of the cruellest evenings in Symonds' IPL story.
Symonds didn't play in every match that season. In fact, he participated in just four games in IPL 2008, scoring 161 runs. However, he left a mark—proof of what he could achieve when everything came together. He returned stronger in 2009, played 8 matches, scored 249 runs, and was part of the Deccan Chargers team that went all the way.
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His best season came in 2010 when he amassed 429 runs and took 12 wickets. That year, he was the glue in the middle order and an additional asset with the ball. Symonds finished his IPL career with 974 runs and 20 wickets in 39 matches, wrapping up his last season in 2011 with the Mumbai Indians.
