Who Scored the Fastest Century in IPL?

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In the context of cricket, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), a “century” refers to a batsman scoring 100 or more runs in a single innings. It is a significant milestone and reflects a batsman’s high level of individual performance.

When a batsman reaches a century, they have successfully accumulated 100 runs or more without getting out. This is considered a notable achievement and often has a positive impact on the team’s total score. In the IPL, as in other forms of cricket, centuries are valued for contributing to the team’s success and are often memorable moments in the tournament.

It’s important to note that scoring a century in a T20 format like the IPL is relatively rare due to the limited number of overs (20 per side), making it a fast-paced and challenging format for batsmen to reach triple-digit scores.

The Top 10 Fastest Centuries In IPL History

In total, in the entire history of the IPL from 2008 to 2023 inclusive, players have achieved almost 90 centuries. The most productive year was 2023: 12 centuries per season. This season also became the first to achieve more than 10 centuries, with all previous IPL seasons ending with fewer hundreds. The fewest centuries were in 2009: only 2. But in addition to the number of centuries, it is also interesting to know how many balls it took to achieve them. Here are the top 10 records:

Name	Team	Balls	Date
Chris Gayle	RCB against Pune Warriors	30	23 April 2013
Yusuf Pathan	RR against MI	37	13 March 2010
David Miller	KXIP against RCB	38	6 May 2013
Adam Gilchrist	Deccan Chargers against MI	42	27 April 2008
AB de Villiers	RCB against Gujarat Lions	43	14 May 2016
David Warner	SRH against KKR	43	30 April 2017
Sanath Jayasuriya	MI against CSK	45	14 May 2008
Mayank Agarwal	PBKS against RR	45	27 September 2020
Murali Vijay	CSK against RR	46	3 April 2010
Chris Gayle	RCB against PBKS	46	6 May 2015

Next, we’ll tell you more about these 10 fastest hundreds in IPL history.

Chris Gayle

On April 23, 2013, during an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors India, Chris Gayle delivered a breathtaking innings, setting the record for the fastest century in IPL history. In a display of sheer power-hitting, Gayle reached his century in just 30 balls and 175 total runs, showcasing his dominance as an explosive opener. His innings were filled with monstrous sixes and boundaries, leaving a lasting impression on fans and securing his status as one of the most destructive batsmen in T20 cricket.

Yusuf Pathan

On March 13, 2010, Yusuf Pathan etched his name in IPL history with a blazing century for Rajasthan Royals against Mumbai Indians. Pathan’s innings, completed in 37 balls and 100 runs, was a masterclass in aggressive and impactful batting. His ability to clear the boundaries with ease was on full display as he hammered the opposition bowlers. Pathan’s century played a pivotal role in securing victory for his team, and it remains one of the most memorable moments in IPL history.

David Miller

Representing Kings XI Punjab, David Miller produced a scintillating innings against Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 6, 2013. Miller’s century, achieved in 38 balls, showcased his capability to accelerate the run rate and turn the tide in favor of his team.

His innings included a flurry of boundaries and sixes, and his composure under pressure was commendable. Miller’s performance was instrumental in Kings XI Punjab chasing down a challenging target and stood out as one of the standout innings in the IPL.

AB de Villiers

In a memorable innings on May 14, 2016, AB de Villiers showcased his extraordinary skill set for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Gujarat Lions. De Villiers reached his century in 43 balls, combining classical shot-making with innovative strokes. His innings featured a wide array of shots, including audacious scoops and towering sixes. Known for his 360-degree batting, de Villiers’ century played a crucial role in guiding his team to a formidable total and underlined his reputation as one of the most versatile and entertaining batsmen in modern cricket.

David Warner

David Warner continued to display his exceptional batting skills for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 30, 2017. In this inning, Warner reached his century in 43 balls, showcasing a blend of power, precision, and strategic acumen. His innings played a pivotal role in steering Sunrisers Hyderabad to a formidable total, and Warner’s leadership and consistency as a top-order batsman have made him a standout performer in the IPL. The innings on April 30, 2017, further solidified Warner’s reputation as one of the premier T20 batsmen in the world.

Sanath Jayasuriya

Sanath Jayasuriya, the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer, displayed his T20 prowess for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings on May 14, 2008.

Jayasuriya’s century in 45 balls was a testament to his explosive batting style and ability to take the attack to the opposition. His innings set the stage for the Mumbai Indians’ victory and showcased the impact of experienced international players in the early seasons of the IPL.

Mayank Agarwal

On May 5, 2019, Mayank Agarwal delivered a spectacular innings for Kings XI Punjab against Rajasthan Royals. Agarwal’s century, achieved in 45 balls, was a display of aggressive shot-making and controlled aggression. His innings played a crucial role in setting a formidable target for the opposition and highlighted his potential as a top-order batsman in the IPL.

Murali Vijay

On April 3, 2010, Murali Vijay made a significant impact for Chennai Super Kings against Rajasthan Royals. Vijay’s century in 46 balls showcased his ability to anchor the innings while unleashing powerful strokes. His innings played a key role in setting a challenging target for the opposition and contributed to Chennai Super Kings’ success in the tournament. 

Chris Gayle (Again)

In another extraordinary performance, Chris Gayle showcased his dominance with the bat for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Kings XI Punjab on May 6, 2015. Gayle’s century in 46 balls included a barrage of sixes and boundaries, reaffirming his reputation as one of the most destructive T20 batsmen. 

The Fastest Centuries In IPL 2023

The 2023 IPL season was the first in which double-digit centuries were achieved: 12. MI’s expensive opener was the fastest, with Cameron Green reaching a hundred in 47 balls. This result also secured him 12th place in the overall fastest-century rankings.

Here’s a full list of centuries from the 2023 season with the balls counting: 

Name	Total Runs	Team	Balls
Cameron Green	100	MI against SRH	47
Shubman Gill	129	GT against MI	49
Venkatesh Iyer	104	KKR against MI	49
Heinrich Klaasen	104	SRH against RCB	49
Suryakumar Yadav	103	MI against GT	49
Shubman Gill	104	GT against RCB	52
Yashasvi Jaiswal	124	RR against MI	53
Harry Brook	100*	SRH against KKR	55
Shubman Gill	101	GT against SRH	56
Virat Kohli	100	RCB against GT	60
Prabhsimran Singh	103	PBKS against DC	61
Virat Kohli	101	RCB against SRH	62

The Fastest Half-Centuries In IPL History

Reaching fifty is easier than reaching a century. But it is not so easy to do it quickly: faster than other cricketers. Here are the records for the lowest half-century scored by a player across all IPL seasons.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (13 balls on May 11, 2023)

Rajasthan Royals’ young opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal, etched his name in the IPL record books by achieving the fastest fifty in the tournament’s history. On May 11, 2023, in a match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Jaiswal displayed remarkable aggression and skill to reach his half-century in just 13 balls. His innings were a stunning display of power-hitting, contributing to his overall score of 98* off 47 balls, showcasing the immense talent and potential that has earned him the label of the future of Indian cricket.

KL Rahul (14 balls in 2018)

Former captain of Punjab Kings and current captain of Lucknow Super Giants, KL Rahul secured the second spot for the fastest fifty in IPL history.

Rahul’s explosive innings came in 2018 against Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils), where he scored a match-winning 51 off just 14 balls. Known for his stylish strokeplay and consistency, Rahul’s quickfire fifty underscored his ability to dominate opposition bowling attacks.

Pat Cummins (14 balls in 2022)

Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins made a surprising entry into the list of the second-fastest fifties, tying with KL Rahul. Playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2022 IPL, Cummins unleashed a remarkable display of power-hitting, smashing an unbeaten 56 off 14 balls against Mumbai Indians. Cummins’ innings showcased his all-round prowess and played a crucial role in KKR’s success in that match.

Yusuf Pathan (15 balls in 2014)

Yusuf Pathan, representing Kolkata Knight Riders, secured a position among the players with the fastest fifties in IPL history. In 2014, Pathan played a blistering innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad, scoring 72 runs off just 15 balls. His aggressive approach and ability to change the course of the game with explosive hitting made this innings a memorable one in IPL history.

Sunil Narine (15 balls in 2017)

Sunil Narine, known for his bowling prowess, spectacularly showcased his batting abilities for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017. Playing against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Narine scored a fifty off 15 balls, displaying his aggressive side. His ability to contribute significantly with the bat, in addition to his bowling skills, made him a valuable asset for KKR.

Nicholas Pooran (15 balls on May 11, 2023)

Nicholas Pooran of Lucknow Super Giants joined the ranks of players with the fastest fifties in the 2023 IPL.

In a match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pooran matched the feat of Yusuf Pathan and Sunil Narine by reaching his fifty in just 15 balls. Pooran’s quickfire innings added firepower to LSG’s batting lineup, making him a key contributor in that particular game.

Conclusion

Indian Premier League (IPL) centuries are powerful milestones, showcasing outstanding displays of batsmanship in the fast-paced T20 format. Reaching a century, marked by achieving or exceeding 100 runs in a single innings, highlights a batsman’s ability to dominate and dictate the course of a match. These centuries not only make a significant contribution to the team’s overall performance but also serve as turning points, enhancing the spectacle of the tournament. 

The rarity of centuries in T20 cricket, especially in the IPL, adds a level of prestige to this achievement and each instance resonates as a testament to the batsman’s skill, ability to adapt, and ability to thrive under intense pressure. But even more significant is how few balls the player needed to reach the coveted century. This is why records for the fastest hundreds are so interesting to cricket fans.

Fastest Hundreds in IPL History (2008-2023 Included) Video

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