Who Holds the Record for Fastest T20 Century? (2025 Update)

The Fastest Century in T20 cricket is one of the most thrilling and unforgettable achievements in the shortest format. While scoring a hundred in just 20 overs is rare, reaching it in record time requires extraordinary skill, fearless hitting, and the ability to dominate bowlers from the first ball. Such innings are not just about personal milestones; they shift the game’s momentum and leave both opponents and fans stunned.

Over the years, several batters have etched their names into history books with blistering centuries that redefined how T20 cricket is played. From international arenas to high-pressure Indian Premier League (IPL) clashes, the fastest centuries have showcased raw power, innovation, and aggression. Legendary hitters like Chris Gayle, David Miller, and Rohit Sharma have destroyed bowling attacks with effortless six-hitting, reaching the three-figure mark in unbelievable time.

Every fast century in T20 has become more than just a statistic; it has become a spectacle of entertainment, energy, and excitement that fans have remembered for years. These breathtaking knocks symbolize the evolution of T20 cricket, where speed, power, and precision combine to create moments that live forever in cricketing glory.

What is the Fastest Century in T20 Cricket?

The fastest century in T20 cricket is a remarkable achievement that showcases a player’s aggressive batting style and ability to dominate the game. Chris Gayle holds the record for the fastest T20 century, scoring 100 runs in just 30 balls during the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup match against South Africa. Cricket fans worldwide celebrate this milestone as a testament to Gayle’s power and timing. Fast centuries in T20 cricket are a rare spectacle, and this record highlights the thrilling nature of the shortest format, where every ball counts and excitement is constant.

Top 10 Fastest Centuries in T20 (All Formats)

Here are the Top 10 Fastest Centuries in T20 Cricket (All Formats), based on the number of balls faced to reach 100 runs:

Rank	Player	Country	Balls Faced	Match	Date	Details
1	Chris Gayle	West Indies	30	West Indies vs South Africa, 2007 ICC T20 WC	September 2007	Fastest T20 century, 100 off 30 balls
2	Muhammad Fahad	Turkey	29	Turkey vs Bulgaria, 2025 T20I	July 2025	100 off 29 balls
3	Shahid Afridi	Pakistan	37	Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 2014 T20I	May 2014	100 off 37 balls, dominating performance
4	Martin Guptill	New Zealand	44	New Zealand vs South Africa, 2012 T20I	October 2012	100 off 44 balls, crucial knock for NZ
5	Brendon McCullum	New Zealand	46	New Zealand vs Australia, 2010 T20I	February 2010	100 off 46 balls, fast-paced inning
6	David Miller	South Africa	45	South Africa vs Bangladesh, 2017 T20I	April 2017	100 off 45 balls, stellar performance
7	Colin Munro	New Zealand	47	New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 2017 T20I	January 2017	100 off 47 balls, commanding century
8	Suresh Raina	India	48	India vs South Africa, 2010 T20I	May 2010	100 off 48 balls, consistent and aggressive
9	Alex Hales	England	51	England vs Sri Lanka, 2014 T20I	May 2014	100 off 51 balls, dominant hitting
10	Glenn Maxwell	Australia	53	Australia vs Sri Lanka, 2014 T20I	September 2014	100 off 53 balls, showcasing big-hitting ability

Fastest Century in T20 International Cricket History List

S. No.	Player	Balls	Match	Date
1	Sahil Chauhan	27	Cyprus vs Estonia	17/06/2024
2	Sikandar Raza	33	Gambia vs Zimbabwe	23/10/2024
3	Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton	33	Nepal vs Namibia	27/02/2024
4	Kushal Malla	34	Nepal vs Mongolia	27/09/2023
5	David Miller	35	South Africa vs Bangladesh	29/10/2017
6	Rohit Sharma	35	India vs Sri Lanka	22/12/2017
7	Sudesh Wickramasekara	35	Czech Republic vs Turkey	30/08/2019
8	Sivakumar Periyalwar	39	Romania vs Turkey	29/08/2019
9	Zeeshan Kukikhel	39	Hungary vs Austria	05/06/2022
10	Johnson Charles	39	West Indies vs South Africa	26/03/2023
11	Sanju Samson	40	Bangladesh vs India	2024
12	K Kadowaki-Fleming	40	Japan vs South Korea	15/10/2022
13	Ollie Hairs	40	Scotland vs Italy	24/07/2023
14	Hazratullah Zazai	42	Ireland vs Afghanistan	2019
15	Surya Kumar Yadav	45	Sri Lanka vs India	2023

Top 10 Fastest 100 in T20 Cricket: IPL

S.NO.	PLAYER	BALLS	MATCH	VENUE	DATE
1	CH Gayle	35	Royal Challengers Bangalore v Pune Warriors	Bangalore	23 April 2013
2	YK Pathan	37	Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians	Mumbai	13 March 2010
3	DA Miller	38	Kings XI Punjab v Royal Challengers Bangalore	Mohali	06 May 2013
4	AC Gilchrist	42	Deccan Chargers v Mumbai Indians	Mumbai	27 April 2008
5	AB de Villiers	43	Royal Challengers Bangalore v Gujarat Lions	Bangalore	14 May 2016
6	DA Warner	43	Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders	Hyderabad	30 April 2017
7	ST Jayasuriya	45	Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings	Mumbai	14 May 2008
8	MA Agarwal	45	Kings XI Punjab v Rajasthan Royals	Sharjah	27 Sep 2020
9	M Vijay	46	Chennai Super Kings v Rajasthan Royals	Chennai	03 April 2010
10	CH Gayle	46	Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kings XI Punjab	Bangalore	06 May 2011

T20 World Cup – Fastest Century in T20

S.No	Player	Balls	Match	Date
1	Chris Gayle	47	West Indies v England	16/03/2016
2	Chris Gayle	50	West Indies v South Africa	11/09/2007
3	Brendon McCullum	51	New Zealand v Bangladesh	21/09/2012
4	Rassie van der Dussen	52	South Africa v Bangladesh	27/10/2022
5	Ahmed Shehzad	58	Pakistan v Bangladesh	30/03/2014
6	Suresh Raina	59	India v South Africa	02/05/2010
7	Alex Hales	60	England v Sri Lanka	27/03/2014
8	Tamim Iqbal	60	Bangladesh v Oman	13/03/2016
9	Glenn Phillips	61	New Zealand v Sri Lanka	29/10/2022
10	Mahela Jayawardene	63	Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe	03/05/2010

Highlights key matches and performances

• India’s 2007 ICC T20 World Cup Victory against Pakistan
• Chris Gaylе’s Explosivе 175 in IPL 2013*
• Afghanistan’s Upsеt Victory in the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup against rеigning champions WеstIndiеs
• Carlos Brathwaitе’s Four Sixеs in the ICC T20 World Cup Final 2016
• 6 sixes by Yuvraj Singh against Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup against England

Top 10 Fastest Centuries in Overall T20 Cricket

S. No.	Player	Balls	Match	Year
1	Sahil Chauhan	27	Estonia vs Cyprus	2024
2	Chris Gayle	30	Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Pune Warriors	2013
3	Rishabh Pant	32	Delhi vs Himachal Pradesh	2018
4	WJ Lubbe	33	North West vs Limpopo	2018
5	Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton	33	Namibia vs Nepal	2024
6	Andrew Symonds	34	Kent vs Middlesex	2004
7	Sean Abbott	34	Surrey vs Kent	2023
8	Kushal Malla	34	Nepal vs Mongolia	2023
9	LP van der Westhuizen	35	Namibia vs Kenya	2011
10	David Miller	35	South Africa vs Bangladesh	2017
11	Rohit Sharma	35	India vs Sri Lanka	2017

Fastest Century in T20 by Indian

• Yusuf Pathan’s Fiery Blitz: Yusuf Pathan’s 37-ball century against the Mumbai Indians in the 2010 IPL remains in the memories.
• K.L. Rahul’s Modern Mastery: K.L. Rahul’s 46-ball century against the West Indies in 2016 showcased the modern Indian batsman’s ability to adapt to the dynamic demands of T20 cricket.

Spotlight on Indian players who broke records

Indian batters not only scored centuries but also shattered records and rewrote history. For example, Virat Kohli‘s relentless pursuit of excellence led him to amass a record-breaking 973 runs in a single IPL season, Suresh Raina’s record as the highest run-scorer in IPL history reflects his contribution to India’s T20 legacy, and Yuvraj Singh’s six consecutive sixes in an over during the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007.

What Makes a Fast Century Possible in T20?

A fast century in T20 cricket is a rare and thrilling achievement, typically requiring skill, aggression, and favorable conditions. Here’s what makes a fast century possible in T20 cricket:

1. Aggressive Batting Approach

• Intent to Attack: A batsman must adopt an attacking mindset, aiming to hit boundaries rather than just rotate strikes. The willingness to take risks and go for big shots is crucial.
• Timing & Power: Batters who can time the ball well and hit with power, like Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers, make the most of every ball faced.

2. Pitch Conditions

• Flat Pitches: A flat pitch that offers little or no assistance to the bowlers can be a massive advantage for the batsman. On such pitches, the ball comes nicely onto the bat, allowing for powerful shots.
• Short Boundaries: Smaller boundaries make it easier to clear the fence, contributing to quicker runs and fewer balls needed to reach a century.

3. Field Placement

• Minimal Protection: In T20 cricket, the fielding restrictions often allow fewer fielders in the deep during the powerplay. This opens up more gaps for batsmen to exploit, especially with aerial shots.
• Spreading the Field: When the field is spread, batsmen can focus on hitting in the gaps or going over the top to accelerate the scoring rate.

4. Bowling Quality

• Weaker or Off-form Bowlers: A fast century is often more achievable when the bowlers are off-form or lack variation. When bowlers don’t execute well or have predictable deliveries, batsmen can easily dominate.
• Frequent Loose Balls: Bowlers who bowl consistently full or wide provide easy scoring opportunities for aggressive batsmen.

5. Powerplay Overs

• The first six overs in T20 are critical, with only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. This is the best time for batsmen to capitalize on boundaries and build momentum.
• Batsmen who can take full advantage of the powerplay can significantly reduce the number of balls required to reach a century.

6. Strike Rotation

• While hitting boundaries is key, maintaining good strike rotation is essential for accelerating the scoring rate. Even singles or twos can keep the scoreboard ticking while waiting for the proper delivery to attack.

7. Physical Fitness

• Endurance: Fast centuries often come from players with high fitness and stamina levels. They can maintain their power-hitting abilities throughout the innings without tiring.
• Quick Running: Fit players can rotate the strike and push for quick singles, keeping the pressure on the fielding side.

8. Psychological Factors

• Confidence: Batsmen who are confident and mentally prepared are likelier to take calculated risks and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
• Momentum: Building momentum by hitting boundaries early in the innings can help a player continue to play aggressive shots, even as the innings progress.

9. Partnerships

• A solid partner at the other end can reduce the pressure on a batsman and allow more freedom to take risks. A good partnership can keep the scoreboard moving and enable the batsman to accelerate.

10. Modern Batting Techniques

• Innovative Shots: Modern-day players have a wide range of shots like the reverse sweep, ramp shot, and slog sweep, which help accumulate runs quickly, especially in the death overs.
• Power Hitting: The use of heavier bats and an emphasis on powerful hitting in T20 cricket helps players clear the boundaries with ease, even with fewer balls.

A fast century in T20 cricket results from aggressive batting, favorable conditions, weak bowling, and a solid mental approach. Factors like pitch, field placement, and powerplay restrictions play a key role, but the most significant factor is the batsman’s ability to take risks and capitalize on every opportunity.

Impact on the Game and the Player’s Legacy

Scoring a century in record time is more than a remarkable achievement; it cements a player’s place in cricketing history. These record-breaking performances are not just about the numbers; they redefine how the game is played and inspire future generations. A fast century makes a player synonymous with power, precision, and the ability to turn a match. It can open doors to lucrative endorsements, leadership roles, and increased media presence.

Virender Sehwag’s iconic 309 runs off 375 balls against Pakistan in 2004 earned him the title ‘Sultan of Multan,’ showcasing his aggressive, fearless approach that revolutionized Test cricket. Similarly, AB de Villiers’ 31-ball century against the West Indies in 2015 epitomized the evolution of T20 cricket with his unorthodox shots and innovative strokeplay. These performances shaped the players’ careers and set new benchmarks for future cricketers, proving that anything is possible with boldness, skill, and creativity in cricket. Such innings inspire cricketers to push boundaries and elevate the sport to new heights.

Conclusion

T20 cricket is the ultimate spectacle of modern cricket, combining speed, innovation, and nonstop action. In this high-octane format, every ball counts, and players are pushed to perform with aggression, skill, and precision. From blistering centuries to thrilling last-over finishes, T20 cricket constantly raises the bar, delivering moments that fans remember for a lifetime.

The format has produced record-breaking feats once thought impossible, including the fastest centuries, massive six-hitting streaks, and unbelievable run chases. International stars and league legends have showcased their explosive talent, redefining batting strategies and keeping spectators on the edge of their seats. The Indian Premier League (IPL) and other T20 leagues worldwide have amplified the excitement, combining top-class competition with entertainment.

With its global appeal and electrifying pace, T20 cricket has transformed the traditional game, making it more dynamic, unpredictable, and fan-friendly. It is the epitome of cricket’s rapid evolution, proving that innovation, power, and thrill define the spirit of the shortest format.

Read More:-

• Highest Individual Score in T20: Simple Overview
• Highest score in T20: Discover the Players with the Highest Totals
• The Fastest Ball in Cricket History Thrown Explained
• Highest Wicket Taker in Test Cricket
• Most Centuries in Cricket: Complete List
• Highest Run Chase in IPL: Lists, Name, and Score
• Fastest Test Century: An Overview
• Fastest Century in ODI: An Overview
• Most Successful Captain in Cricket

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