The record for the fastest century in T20 World Cup history is held by West Indies player Chris Gayle, who slammed an unbeaten century against England in just 47 balls during the T20 World Cup 2016.
Getting a century in any form of cricket is always considered a landmark achievement for batsmen. And, given that the T20 World Cup is considered to be the biggest competition in the format, every player wants to lead his side to World Cup glory. The batters who have scored centuries in T20 World Cups have a commendable record to boast about.
And then there are some who do it more quickly than others. If we talk about T20Is, Namibia’s Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton has the fastest century in T20 international cricket. He got to his ton in 33 balls, while Nepal’s Kushal Malla has a century in 34 balls. India’s Rohit Sharma and South Africa’s David Miller also have one of the fastest centuries in T20 cricket in 35 balls.
Here’s a list of fastest centuries in T20 World Cup history.
Fastest century in T20 World Cup: Top 10 list of players
Fastest century in T20 World Cup: Top 10 list of players
| Rank | Player | Team | Balls Taken to score century | Total Runs Scored | Against | Venue | Year |
| 1 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 47 | 100* | England | Mumbai | 2016 |
| 2 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 50 | 117 | South Africa | Johannesburg | 2007 |
| 3 | Rilee Rossouw | South Africa | 52 | 109 | Bangladesh | Pallekele | 2022 |
| 4 | Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 51 | 123 | Bangladesh | Sydney | 2012 |
| 5 | Ahmed Shehzad | Pakistan | 58 | 111* | Bangladesh | Mirpur | 2014 |
| 6 | Suresh Raina | India | 59 | 101 | South Africa | Gros Islet | 2010 |
| 7 | Alex Hales | England | 60 | 116* | Sri Lanka | Chattogram | 2014 |
| 8 | Tamim Iqbal | Bangladesh | 60 | 103* | Oman | Dharamsala | 2016 |
| 9 | Glenn Phillips | New Zealand | 61 | 104 | Sri Lanka | Sydney | 2022 |
| 10 | Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 63 | 100 | Zimbabwe | Guyana | 2010 |
Chris Gayle, West Indies – 47 balls vs England, 2016
The Universe Boss Chris Gayle tops the list for the fastest century in T20 World Cup. It was actually his second century in the tournament and came against England during the 2016 edition held in India. In the match hosted in Mumbai, West Indies were chasing a target of 183 set by England and they lost opener Johnson Charles in the very first over of the contest.
However, Gayle got into his stride and the game turned rapidly. He took only 47 deliveries to get to his century and he remained not out on 100 while his innings included five boundaries and 11 maximums.
Chris Gayle, West Indies – 50 balls vs South Africa, 2007
Chris Gayle lit up the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007 with a century in the very first game. Batting first, West Indies posted a huge score with Gayle bringing up his century in just 50 deliveries.
He went on to smash 117 off 57 balls with the help of seven boundaries and ten maximums. Despite his outstanding effort, West Indies went on to lose the match as Herschelle Gibbs led the South Africa run-chase with his terrific knock of 90*.
Brendon McCullum, New Zealand – 51 balls vs Bangladesh, 2012
Brendon McCullum holds the record for scoring the third-fastest century in the T20 World Cup off just 51 deliveries against Bangladesh during the 2012 World Cup. Batting first, McCullum led New Zealand’s batting unit, finishing the night with a knock of 124 runs from just 58 deliveries with the help of 11 fours and seven sixes.
It is still the highest score in the history of the competition so far and thanks to his innings, New Zealand posted a total of 191/3. They went on to win the match by 59 runs.
Rilee Rossouw, South Africa – 52 balls vs Bangladesh, 2022
South Africa’s middle order batter, Rilee Rossouw is the next name on this list. He brought up his century off just 52 balls against Bangladesh in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Sydney. Batting first, South Africa lost captain Temba Bavuma in the first over.
But, Rossouw and Quinton de Kock smashed a 168-run stand off just 85 balls to take their side to a massive 205/5. Rossouw hammered seven fours and eight sixes during his knock and helped his side beat Bangladesh by 104 runs.
Ahmed Shehzad, Pakistan – 58 balls vs Bangladesh, 2014
Ahmed Shehzad is the only player from Pakistan to score a century in the T20 World Cup. Shehzad achieved this feat in just 58 deliveries against Bangladesh during the 2014 T20 World Cup which was eventually won by Sri Lanka.
Opening the batting, he put on a masterclass and slammed 111 runs which included 10 fours and five sixes. Pakistan went on to win the match by a comfortable margin of 50 runs.
Suresh Raina, India – 59 balls vs South Africa, 2010
Suresh Raina’s 59-ball century against South Africa which arrived in the 2010 T20 World Cup is next on this list. It was the southpaw’s maiden T20 World Cup century and he went on to score 101 runs with the help of nine fours and five sixes and at a strike rate of 168.33.
His ton helped the Men in Blue win the match by 14 runs.
Alex Hales, England – 60 balls vs Sri Lanka, 2014
England’s opener Alex Hales has been one of the cleanest strikers of the cricket ball in white-ball cricket. He was in devastating touch during the T20 World Cup in 2014. In this game against Sri Lanka, England required a tough 190 to win.
But Hales came out like a man on a mission and smashed a century off just 60 balls. He finished unbeaten on 116 off just 64 balls, his innings including 11 fours and six sixes as England got over the line in 19.2 overs.
Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh – 60 balls vs Oman, 2016
Tamim Iqbal gave Oman a tough lesson during the T20 World Cup 2016 smashing a century off just 60 balls in a group game in Dharamsala.
Sent into bat, Tamim thrashed a century off just 60 balls. He finished with 103 not out off 63 balls and his innings included ten fours and five sixes. Bangladesh finished with 180 for 2 and thrashed Oman by 54 runs (DLS method),
Glenn Phillips, New Zealand – 61 balls vs Sri Lanka, 2022
The New Zealand middle-order batter was in sensational form at the T20 World Cup 2022. It was a one-man effort from the batter after New Zealand were reduced to 15 for 3 in four overs. He smashed a century from just 61 balls with 10 fours and four sixes.
The second-highest score in the innings was Daryl Mitchell’s 22. Phillips’ 104 meant New Zealand posted 167. Sri Lanka were bundled out for 102.
Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka – 63 balls vs Zimbabwe, 2010
Opening the innings, the Sri Lanka stalwart Mahela Jayawardene smashed a century off just 63 balls against Zimbabwe in the ICC T20 World Cup 2010.
He reached his ton off 63 balls, with 10 fours and four sixes. His innings took Sri Lanka to 173 for 7 and helped his team win the game by 14 runs (DLS method).
FAQs
What has the fastest century in the T20 World Cup?
Chris Gayle of West Indies has the fastest century in T20 World Cup cricket off 47 balls against England.
Who scored the fastest century in the T20 World Cup for India?
Sruesh Raina holds the record for the fastest century in T20 World Cup for India off 59 balls against South Africa.
Who scored the fastest 100 in overall T20 cricket for India?
Rishabh Pant has the fastest century for India in T20 cricket. He smashed a ton off just 32 balls against Himachal Pradesh in 2018.
