In the annals of Caribbean Premier League (CPL) history, few moments stand out as vividly as Rahkeem Cornwall‘s epic century, achieved in a mere 45 deliveries. Cornwall’s staggering achievement was not only a testament to his explosive batting prowess but also a remarkable turnaround in a season that had been less than stellar for the Barbados Royals all-rounder.

Entering the CPL 2023 season, Rahkeem Cornwall had endured a dismal run of form, averaging a paltry 14.60 with the bat and managing to secure just a solitary wicket with the ball in five games. For a player of his caliber, these statistics were far from satisfactory. However, the Caribbean cricketing universe was about to witness a jaw-dropping transformation.

In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, Rahkeem Cornwall embarked on a journey that would etch his name into the history books. Cornwall’s century comprised four boundaries and a staggering 12 maximums, making it one of the most electrifying innings ever witnessed in CPL cricket. His bat drop celebration, the culmination of a brilliant single down the long-on region, added an extra layer of spectacle to his extraordinary feat.

Cornwall’s blazing form catapulted him to a 45-ball century, the joint third-fastest in CPL history, with only Andre Russell’s 40 and 42-ball centuries ahead of him. The moment of glory arrived in the 15th over when he dispatched a straight six off Benny Howell to reach 99 before calmly taking the single to raise his bat to the roaring crowd.

Rahkeem Cornwall is no stranger to T20 cricket, boasting a career average of 21.65 and an astonishing strike rate of over 150. His contributions had played a pivotal role in the Barbados Royals finishing atop the points table in the previous season, accumulating 242 runs in nine games. Despite his limited opportunities in West Indies’ white-ball formats, Cornwall had showcased his prowess in Test cricket, with two half-centuries and five-wicket hauls to his name in ten Tests.

But the magic of Cornwall’s century transcended the boundaries of the cricketing field. On the day of his son’s birthday, Rahkeem Cornwall dedicated his match-winning century to his child, a heartfelt gesture that endeared him further to fans and fellow players alike. His post-match presentation was filled with gratitude towards his two sons, who had been his steadfast supporters.

Cornwall’s unstoppable performance, scoring 102 off 48 deliveries, was not just a personal milestone but a game-changing knock for the Barbados Royals. Chasing an improbable target of 221, they accomplished the feat with eight wickets to spare, securing a memorable victory.

In the scorching heat of CPL 2023, Rahkeem Cornwall’s blazing century and his iconic bat drop celebration will be etched into the memories of cricket enthusiasts for years to come. This extraordinary performance served as a testament to the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket and the ability of a single player to redefine a season with a single innings. Cornwall’s resilience and power-hitting skills have once again illuminated the Caribbean cricketing landscape, reminding us all that in cricket, as in life, a comeback story can be the most enthralling of all.