Cricket has witnessed some explosive batting performances over the years, with batsmen smashing centuries at breathtaking speeds Scoring a century in any format is a remarkable achievement, but reaching it in record time is a testament to power-hitting, skill, and confidence In this blog, we will explore the fastest centuries in Test, One Day International (ODI), and T20 International cricket
Fastest Centuries in Test Cricket
Test cricket is known for its patience and technique, but some batsmen have defied tradition by scoring quickfire centuries
1. Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) – 54 balls
Match: New Zealand vs Australia, Christchurch, 2016
Details: In his farewell Test match, McCullum played an explosive innings, scoring a century off just 54 balls He smashed 21 boundaries (16 fours, 4 sixes) and ended with 145 runs
2. Sir Vivian Richards (West Indies) – 56 balls
Match: West Indies vs England, Antigua, 1986
Details: The legendary Sir Vivian Richards set the record for the fastest century in Test cricket in just 56 balls His aggressive innings helped West Indies dominate England
3. Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan) – 56 balls
Match: Pakistan vs Australia, Abu Dhabi, 2014
Details: Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq matched Richards’ record with a 56-ball century, demonstrating controlled aggression against the Australians
Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket
ODI cricket is a balance between Test patience and T20 aggression, and these players have shown their ability to score at an incredible pace
1. AB de Villiers (South Africa) – 31 balls
Match: South Africa vs West Indies, Johannesburg, 2015
Details: AB de Villiers holds the record for the fastest ODI century, reaching 100 in just 31 balls His innings included 16 sixes and 9 fours, showcasing an unbelievable display of power hitting
2. Corey Anderson (New Zealand) – 36 balls
Match: New Zealand vs West Indies, Queenstown, 2014
Details: Before AB de Villiers, Corey Anderson held the record with a 36-ball century, striking 14 sixes and 6 fours
3. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 37 balls
Match: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Nairobi, 1996
Details: At just 16 years old, Afridi stunned the world by scoring a 37-ball century, the fastest in ODI cricket at that time He smashed 11 sixes and 6 fours, introducing his legendary aggressive batting style
Fastest Centuries in T20 International Cricket
T20 cricket is all about explosive batting, and these players have taken it to the next level
1. Sahil Chauhan (Estonia) – 27 balls
Match: Estonia vs Cyprus, 2024
Details: The record for the fastest T20I century was set by Sahil Chauhan, who blasted his century in just 27 balls His innings featured 16 sixes
2. David Miller (South Africa) – 35 balls
Match: South Africa vs Bangladesh, Potchefstroom, 2017
Details: Miller reached his century in 35 balls, smashing 9 sixes and 7 fours in a thrilling performance
3. Rohit Sharma (India) – 35 balls
Match: India vs Sri Lanka, Indore, 2017
Details: Rohit Sharma equaled Miller’s record, scoring a blistering century off 35 balls, including 10 sixes
Fastest Centuries in IPL (Indian Premier League)
The IPL is one of the most exciting T20 leagues, and some batsmen have scored centuries at an unbelievable pace
1. Chris Gayle (RCB) – 30 balls
Match: RCB vs Pune Warriors, 2013
Details: Gayle played the most destructive T20 innings, smashing 175 off 66 balls*, which included a 30-ball century, the fastest in IPL history
2. Yusuf Pathan (RR) – 37 balls
Match: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, 2010
Details: Pathan scored a fiery century off 37 balls, hitting 9 sixes and 8 fours
3. David Miller (KXIP) – 38 balls
Match: KXIP vs RCB, 2013
Details: Miller’s 38-ball century helped Punjab pull off an incredible run chase
Conclusion
Scoring a fast century requires immense power, confidence, and fearless strokeplay These records show how cricket has evolved over time, with batsmen constantly pushing boundaries to score quicker and entertain fans
While these records might be broken in the future, they will always remain ic
onic moments in cricket history
Who do you think will break the next fastest century record Let us know in the comments