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In the world of T20 cricket, two remarkable players have etched their names in the record books for the fastest centuries. The legendary West Indian cricketer, Chris Gayle, is widely celebrated for his explosive batting style. He held the record for the fastest T20 century until recently. However, in a thrilling turn of events during the Asian Games 2023, Nepal’s rising star, Kushal Malla, made history by setting a new international T20 record for the fastest century. This astonishing feat not only showcases the global appeal of T20 cricket but also highlights the immense talent emerging from unexpected quarters in the world of cricket. It’s a testament to the ever-evolving and exciting nature of this fast-paced format.
Scoring a century in cricket is a remarkable achievement, but in the fast-paced world of Twenty20 (T20) cricket, where deliveries are limited, hitting a hundred becomes even more impressive. Chris Gayle, renowned as the ‘Universe Boss,’ holds the record for the fastest T20 century, achieved during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match in 2013. In just 30 balls, Gayle reached his hundred, surpassing the previous record of 34 balls set by Andrew Symonds. Gayle’s onslaught continued, resulting in an incredible 175 runs off 66 balls, making him the highest individual run-scorer in a T20 innings, a record that still stands. His extraordinary performance, including 17 sixes and 13 fours, helped RCB (RCB Full Form) amass 263/5 in 20 overs, leading RCB to a resounding 130-run victory. Rishabh Pant from India comes second on the list, with his 32-ball century in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match in January 2018. In the realm of T20 Internationals, Kushal Malla from Nepal holds the record for the fastest century, reaching the milestone in just 34 balls during the Asian Games 2023, surpassing the previous shared record of 35 balls held by David Miller, Rohit Sharma, Louis van der Westhuizen, and Sudesh Wickramasekara. These extraordinary feats of batting prowess continue to dazzle cricket fans worldwide.
Fastest century in t20
Fastest hundreds
Player | Balls | Match | Venue | Year |
CH Gayle | 30 | Royal Challengers Bangalore v Pune Warriors | Bangalore | 2013 |
RR Pant | 32 | Delhi v Himachal Pradesh | Delhi | 2018 |
WJ Lubbe | 33 | North West v Limpopo | Paarl | 2018 |
A Symonds | 34 | Kent v Middlesex | Maidstone | 2004 |
Sean Abbott | 34 | Surrey v Kent | The Oval | 2023 |
Kushal Malla | 34 | Nepal v Mongolia | Hangzhou | 2023 |
LP van der Westhuizen | 35 | Namibia v Kenya | Windhoek | 2011 |
DA Miller | 35 | South Africa v Bangladesh | Potchefstroom | 2017 |
RG Sharma | 35 | India v Sri Lanka | Indore | 2017 |
MJ Guptill | 35 | Worcestershire v Northamptonshire | Northampton | 2018 |
Khushdil Shah | 35 | Southern Punjab (Pakistan) v Sindh | Rawalpindi | 2020 |
Dewald Brevis | 35 | Titans v Knights | Potchefstroom | 2022 |
Usman Khan | 36 | Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators | Rawalpindi | 2023 |
YK Pathan | 37 | Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians | Mumbai | 2010 |
SB Styris | 37 | Sussex v Gloucestershire | Hove | 2012 |
DT Christian | 37 | Nottinghamshire v Northamptonshire | Northampton | 2018 |
Mohammed Azharuddeen | 37 | Kerala v Mumbai | Mumbai | 2021 |
DA Miller | 38 | Kings XI Punjab v Royal Challengers Bangalore | Mohali | 2013 |
SS Iyer | 38 | Mumbai v Sikkim | Indore | 2019 |
RK Bhui | 38 | Andhra v Nagaland | Mulapadu | 2019 |
CS Delport | 38 | Essex v Surrey | Chelmsford | 2019 |
CJ Simmons | 39 | Perth Scorchers v Adelaide Strikers | Perth | 2014 |
S Periyalwar | 39 | Romania v Turkey | Ilfov County | 2019 |
Zeeshan Kukikhel | 39 | Hungary v Austria | Lower Austria | 2022 |
Johnson Charles | 39 | West Indies v South Africa | Centurion | 2023 |
Ahmed Shehzad | 40 | Barisal Burners v Duronto Rajshahi | Dhaka | 2012 |
DJ Willey | 40 | Northamptonshire v Sussex | Hove | 2015 |
TL Seifert | 40 | Northern Districts v Auckland | Mount Maunganui | 2017 |
AD Russell | 40 | Jamaica Tallawahs v Trinbago Knight Riders | Port of Spain | 2018 |
MD Shanaka | 40 | Sinhalese Sports Club v Galle Cricket Club | Colombo | 2016 |
Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 40 | Kabul Eagles v Hindukush Stars | Kabul | 2022 |
K Kadowaki-Fleming | 40 | Japan v South Korea | Sano | 2022 |
Ollie Harirs | 40 | Soctland v Italy | Edinburgh | 2023 |
LL Bosman | 41 | Eagles v Lions | Potchefstroom | 2005 |
H Davids | 41 | Cape Cobras v Warriors | Cape Town | 2009 |
BA Raine | 41 | Leicestershire v Birmingham Bears | Birmingham | 2018 |
Shaheryar Butt | 41 | Belgium v Czech Republic | Walferdange | 2020 |
P Bisht | 41 | Meghalaya v Mizoram | Chennai | 2021 |
Rilee Rossouw | 41 | Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi | Rawalpindi | 2023 |
Shai Hope | 41 | Guyana Amazon Warriors v Barbados Royals | Providence | 2023 |
BF Smith | 42 | Worcestershire v Glamorgan | Worcester | 2005 |
AC Gilchrist | 42 | Deccan Chargers v Mumbai Indians | Mumbai | 2008 |
BB McCullum | 42 | Warwickshire v Derbyshire | Birmingham | 2015 |
AD Russell | 42 | Jamaica Tallawahs v Trinbago Knight Riders | Basseterre | 2016 |
Shahid Afridi | 42 | Hampshire v Derbyshire | Derby | 2017 |
CS Delport | 42 | Boost Defenders v Mis Ainak Knights | Kabul | 2017 |
JG Myburgh | 42 | Somerset v Essex | Taunton | 2018 |
Parvez Hossain Emon | 42 | Fortune Barishal v Minister Rajshahi | Dhaka | 2020 |
LS Livingstone | 42 | England v Pakistan | Nottingham | 2021 |
Bilal Asif | 43 | Abbottabad Falcons v Sialkot Stallions | Faisalabad | 2015 |
AB de Villiers | 43 | Royal Challengers Bangalore v Gujarat Lions | Bangalore | 2016 |
T Kohler-Cadmore | 43 | Worcestershire v Durham | Worcester | 2016 |
In 2017, David Miller, a formidable South African cricketer, etched his name in the record books with a remarkable T20I century. This extraordinary feat took place during a match against Bangladesh, where Miller unleashed a sensational 101 not out in just 36 balls. In doing so, he left cricket enthusiasts around the world in awe and managed to surpass his compatriot, Richard Levi, who had held the title of the fastest T20I century up until that point. Levi had achieved his 45-ball hundred against New Zealand in 2012.
Months later, India’s own Rohit Sharma, famously known as the ‘Hitman’ for his extraordinary ability to strike sixes with ease, replicated Miller’s achievement. Rohit Sharma’s century came against Sri Lanka, and he scored a dazzling 118 runs in only 43 balls. What made Rohit’s innings even more remarkable was his astonishing display of power-hitting, which included an incredible 10 sixes and 12 fours, accumulating 108 of his 118 runs purely from boundaries.
Fast forward two years to August 2019, and a surprising addition to this elite club emerged. Sudesh Wickramasekara, a middle-order batter from the Czech Republic, showcased his incredible talent by smashing a century in just 35 balls during a match against Turkey. Wickramasekara’s unbeaten 104 runs left everyone in disbelief and further exemplified the global reach and excitement that T20 cricket brings to fans around the world.
These phenomenal T20I centuries by David Miller, Rohit Sharma, and Sudesh Wickramasekara serve as inspiring moments in the world of cricket, showcasing the sport’s evolving landscape and the ability of talented players to achieve extraordinary feats on the field.
Fastest T20 century in women’s cricket
In the world of women’s T20 cricket, one name stands out for her incredible performance in the 2021 Twenty20 Super Smash. Sophie Devine, representing Wellington Blaze, etched her name in the record books by scoring the fastest T20 century in a remarkable 36 balls. Her outstanding display of power-hitting included nine fours and an equal number of sixes, and she remained unbeaten at 108 runs from just 38 deliveries. Devine’s incredible feat left cricket enthusiasts in awe, setting a benchmark for speed and precision in T20 cricket.
Shifting our focus to women’s T20 internationals, it’s Deandra Dottin from the West Indies who holds the prestigious record for the fastest T20I century. She achieved this milestone in 38 balls during a crucial match against South Africa at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2010. Dottin’s remarkable innings, coming in at No. 6, played a pivotal role in steering her team to a total of 175/5 in their allotted 20 overs. This proved to be a winning score as South Africa fell short by 17 runs, highlighting Dottin’s incredible prowess with the bat and her ability to deliver when her team needed it most. These extraordinary performances by Devine and Dottin continue to inspire the world of women’s T20 cricket.
Conclusion
In the ever-evolving world of T20 cricket, records for the fastest centuries are constantly being rewritten, showcasing the incredible talent and power-hitting abilities of players from across the globe. From the explosive performances of legends like Chris Gayle and David Miller to the rising stars like Kushal Malla and Sophie Devine, these remarkable centuries serve as a testament to the excitement and dynamism of this fast-paced format. With each extraordinary innings, cricket enthusiasts are left in awe, eagerly anticipating the next player who will etch their name into the record books. T20 cricket continues to thrill and inspire, and the quest for the fastest century remains a captivating journey in the world of this electrifying sport.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Fastest T20 Century
Who holds the record for the fastest T20 century in men's cricket?
The record for the fastest T20 century in men's cricket is held by Chris Gayle, who achieved it in just 30 balls during an IPL match in 2013
Who holds the record for the second-fastest T20 century in men's cricket?
The second-fastest T20 century in men's cricket is held by Rishabh Pant, who scored a century in 32 balls during a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match in 2018.
Who is the fastest century-maker in T20 Internationals (T20Is)?
Kushal Malla from Nepal holds the record for the fastest century in T20 Internationals, reaching the milestone in just 34 balls during the Asian Games 2023.
Who held the previous record for the fastest T20I century before Kushal Malla's achievement?
The previous record for the fastest T20I century was shared by David Miller, Rohit Sharma, Louis van der Westhuizen, and Sudesh Wickramasekara, all of whom achieved it in 35 balls.
Who are some of the notable cricketers with fast T20 centuries to their name?
Some notable cricketers with fast T20 centuries include Andrew Symonds, Sean Abbott, David Miller, Rohit Sharma, Martin Guptill, and many others. Their centuries have been remarkable in the world of T20 cricket