Fastest Centuries in T20 Cricket History
In the dynamic world of Fastest centuries in t20 cricket history the shortest format of the game has given rise to explosive batting performances that have left fans and commentators in awe. Among these incredible feats, scoring a century in record time stands as one of the greatest achievements a batter can accomplish. T20 cricket, with its fast pace and limited overs, rewards aggression, timing, and audacity—elements perfectly embodied in the fastest centuries ever scored.
From global T20 leagues like the IPL, BBL, and PSL to international clashes under floodlights, here’s a definitive guide to the fastest centuries in T20 cricket history, highlighting the players, the innings, and the unforgettable moments that stunned the cricketing world.
đ Fastest T20 Century Ever: Chris Gayle – 30 Balls
Date: April 23, 2013
Match: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Pune Warriors India (IPL)
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Balls Taken: 30
Score: 175* (66 balls)
Chris Gayle, the ‘Universe Boss’, holds the record for the fastest century in T20 history, achieved in just 30 balls during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match. Playing for RCB, Gayle unleashed an unstoppable assault on the Pune Warriors, hitting 13 fours and 17 sixes. His innings of 175 not out remains the highest individual score in T20s and a benchmark in power-hitting.
⥠Rishabh Pant – 32 Balls (Fastest Indian Century in T20s)
Date: January 14, 2018
Match: Delhi vs. Himachal Pradesh (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy)
Venue: Delhi
Balls Taken: 32
Score: 116 (38 balls)
Rishabh Pant, the young Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, smashed a blistering 32-ball hundred, showcasing clean hitting and fearless cricket. His record remains one of the fastest in Indian domestic T20 cricket and underlines the immense talent India possesses in the shorter formats.
âïž David Miller – 35 Balls (Fastest T20I Century by a South African)
Date: October 29, 2017
Match: South Africa vs. Bangladesh (T20I)
Venue: Potchefstroom
Balls Taken: 35
Score: 101* (36 balls)
Nicknamed “Killer Miller” for good reason, David Miller bludgeoned his way to a 35-ball century in a T20 International match against Bangladesh. His clean strikes and calm approach stunned the opposition, making this the fastest T20I hundred by a South African to date.
đ„ Rohit Sharma – 35 Balls (Joint Fastest T20I Century for India)
Date: December 22, 2017
Match: India vs. Sri Lanka (T20I)
Venue: Indore
Balls Taken: 35
Score: 118 (43 balls)
Rohit Sharma, known for his effortless timing, equaled David Miller’s record with a spectacular 35-ball century. With eight sixes and 12 fours, Rohit dismantled Sri Lanka's bowling attack and became the first Indian to score four T20I hundreds.
đ„ Sudesh Wickramasekara – 35 Balls
Date: August 30, 2019
Match: Czech Republic vs. Turkey (T20I)
Venue: Ilfov County, Romania
Balls Taken: 35
Score: 104* (36 balls)
An associate nation star, Sudesh Wickramasekara of the Czech Republic etched his name into history with a 35-ball ton. His knock included aggressive hitting rarely seen in associate matches and proved the global reach and competitiveness of T20 cricket.
đ„ Suryakumar Yadav – 45 Balls
Date: January 7, 2023
Match: India vs. Sri Lanka (T20I)
Venue: Rajkot
Balls Taken: 45
Score: 112* (51 balls)
Suryakumar Yadav, India’s 360-degree batter, played a dazzling knock that earned him yet another place among the fastest T20I century makers. His ability to innovate and score in all parts of the ground is redefining modern-day T20 batting.
đ Richard Levi – 45 Balls
Date: February 19, 2012
Match: South Africa vs. New Zealand (T20I)
Venue: Hamilton
Balls Taken: 45
Score: 117* (51 balls)
Before David Miller, it was Richard Levi who first brought the record home for South Africa with a 45-ball century against New Zealand. He hit 13 sixes and displayed brutal force and minimal footwork—a classic power-hitter’s dream knock.
đ Notable Mentions: Other Fast T20 Hundreds
| Player | Balls | Match | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faf du Plessis | 47 | St Lucia Kings vs. Patriots (CPL 2021) | 120* (60) |
| Glenn Maxwell | 49 | Australia vs. Sri Lanka (T20I) | 145* (65) |
| KL Rahul | 46 | India vs. West Indies (T20I) | 110* (51) |
| Brendon McCullum | 51 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs. RCB (IPL 2008) | 158* (73) |
| Adam Gilchrist | 42 | Deccan Chargers vs. MI (IPL 2008) | 109* (47) |
đïž Fastest T20 Centuries in IPL History
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Chris Gayle – 30 balls (RCB vs. PWI, 2013)
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Yusuf Pathan – 37 balls (RR vs. MI, 2010)
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David Miller – 38 balls (KXIP vs. RCB, 2013)
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Adam Gilchrist – 42 balls (DC vs. MI, 2008)
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AB de Villiers – 43 balls (RCB vs. MI, 2015)
đ Key Takeaways from Fastest T20 Centuries
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Aggression Pays: Most fast centuries come from top-order batters taking advantage of the powerplay.
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Batting Friendly Conditions: Flat pitches, small boundaries, and dew factor help power hitters.
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Strike Rate Mastery: Every batter on this list maintained a strike rate above 250 during their innings.
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League Power: Many of the fastest centuries have come in franchise leagues like the IPL, CPL, and BBL, underlining the role of global T20 competitions in elevating the game.
đ Impact of Fast Centuries on Modern T20 Cricket
Fast centuries have redefined team strategies and fan expectations. Batters like Chris Gayle, Suryakumar Yadav, and David Miller have shown that fearless cricket can change the course of a match in just a few overs. Teams now build line-ups based on high-impact players who can deliver quick, devastating blows. With innovation in shot-making and fitness, we may soon witness a century in under 30 balls—or even less
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