Fastest Century in IPL History
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been on for close to 17 years now, and one that thing that hooks us to this cash-rich tournament is the fifties and centuries. Despite T20 cricket being high-risk cricket where strike rate matters more than anything, over the years, players have scored centuries in the IPL. A long list of centuries have been scored in the IPL by a list of batsmen. But which Batsman has scored the fastest century in IPL?
The answer isn’t really surprising. The Universe Boss, Chris Gayle, holds the record for the fastest century in IPL history. He achieved the feat off just 30 balls against Pune Warriors India back in 2013. In an innings where records took a tumble by the dozen, Gayle claimed the record of the fastest century in IPL, which stands to date.
Here we take a look at the five fastest centuries scored in IPL.
1) Chris Gayle – 30 balls
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Pune Warriors India, M Chinnaswamy Stadium
The year 2013 was one of Chris Gayle’s best, where he finished as the second-highest run-getter in the competition. But his innings in Match 35 of the IPL that year will be fondly remembered. On a fantastic Bangalore evening, Chris Gayle decided to wreak havoc on the Pune bowlers as he smashed a century off just 30 balls, which to date remains the IPL fastest 100 as well as T20 cricket. The lanky Jamaican hit the bowlers to all corners of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium and finally finished on an unbeaten 175* off 66 balls, the highest score in IPL history. His innings was laced with 13 fours and 17 sixes as RCB screamed their way to 263/5, the highest score in IPL history.
Chris Gayle was named Player of the Match, with RCB winning the encounter by a massive 130-run margin. Many of Gayle’s records in that match are yet to be overhauled in the shortest format of the game. This is the fastest 100 in IPL.
2) Yusuf Pathan – 37 balls
Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, Brabourne Stadium
Yusuf Pathan was in the form of his life in the initial years of the IPL. He was Rajasthan Royals’ mainstay and a major reason behind them winning the inaugural edition of the IPL. In Match 2 of the third edition of the IPL, Mumbai Indians had posted a towering 212/6 in their 20 overs. A score of that magnitude was never breached in IPL before, and on 66/4 in the 10th over, it seemed Rajasthan would also be resigned to the same fate. But Pathan decided to do the unthinkable. With nothing to lose, the RR lad took the Mumbai bowlers to the cleaners. He smashed 100 off just 37 balls, his innings including nine fours and eight sixes. This is the second fastest century in IPL and was one of the fastest centuries in IPL and T20 cricket for the longest time.
Mumbai eventually did win the match by a narrow margin of four runs but not before getting a mighty scare. Pathan would have won Rajasthan the game if not for a brilliant piece of runout from Sathish. It’s close to 11 years since Pathan’s knock, but it still is one of the fastest centuries in IPL history. This still remains one of the fastest 100 in IPL.
Also Read: Which Team Has the Lowest Score in IPL?
3) David Miller – 38 balls
Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, PCA IS Bindra Stadium
David Miller has always been renowned as one of the fiercest hitters of the ball. In Match 51 of IPL 2013, RCB bowlers learnt it the hard way. Having scored 190/3 in their 20 overs, RCB would have been fairly confident defending the total, more so after reducing Punjab to 64/4 in 9.5 overs.
However, what happened in the next 8.1 overs was something rarely seen on a cricket field. David Miller let himself lose and had the Punjab fans dancing all night long. He drove, he pulled, he cut. If it was in his arc, it was out of the park, and the RCB bowlers could do nothing.
Miller reached his century off just 38 balls and finished the game with a six in grand style. This remains the third fastest century in IPL. In all, he struck eight fours and seven sixes and made it a night to remember for Kings XI Punjab fans.
4) Adam Gilchrist – 42 balls
Deccan Chargers vs Mumbai Indians, Dr DY Patil Stadium
Adam Gilchrist is inarguably one of the best wicket-keeper batsmen the game has ever seen. His ball-striking ability is second to none, and when on song, there are few players who come even close. In Match 14 of the first season, batting first, Mumbai Indians had limped their way to 154/7.
However, they had something on the board for their bowlers to work on. Adam Gilchrist, though was not having any of it. Chasing 155, Gilchrist smoked the Mumbai bowlers to every nook and corner of the park, scorching his way to a century in just 42 balls, the fourth fastest century in IPL. During his knock, the left hander hit nine fours and ten sixes as Deccan Chargers won by 10 wickets with eight overs remaining. Gilchrist’s knock is one of the fastest centuries in IPL.
5) AB de Villiers – 43 balls
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Lions, M Chinnaswamy Stadium
AB de Villiers and David Warner hold the record for the fifth fastest century in the IPL, who reached the three figure mark in 43 balls, respectively.
AB de Villiers reached the mark against Gujarat Lions in 2016. He was in sublime form that day and scorched his way to a mind-boggling century. RCB comfortably won the match against Gujarat.
6) David Warner – 43 balls
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajiv Gandhi Intl. Cricket Stadium
David Warner recorded his fastest century in IPL against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017. Batting first, Warner set the stage alight, reaching his fastest hundred in IPL off just 43 balls and eventually finishing on 126 off 59 balls. He hammered 10 fours and 8 sixes and was named Player of the Match for his effort.
Conclusion of Fastest Century in IPL
Shane Watson, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli and Murali Vijay have all scored their fastest century IPL. However, Gayle’s record of a 30-ball hundred remains untouched. Do you think anyone will ever overhaul Gayle’s record?
Also read – Emerging Player award in the IPL: Get full list from 2008 to 2022 (updated) (mpl.live)
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