Fastest Centuries in Cricket History

In the world of cricket, scoring a century is always a special achievement—but doing it in record time turns a great innings into a historic one. Whether it’s the calm of Test matches, the balance of ODIs, or the thrill of T20s, some players have stunned fans by reaching 100 runs in just a handful of balls. These rapid-fire centuries are not just about big hits—they reflect fearless batting, sharp timing, and the ability to dominate under pressure. In this article, we explore the fastest centuries ever scored across all formats, highlighting the legends who rewrote the record books with their explosive batting displays.

1. What’s a “Fastest Century”?

A “fastest century” refers to a batsman reaching 100 runs in the least balls faced—not time. Balls faced is the fairest count since match time or minutes can vary widely. In all formats, these record-breaking knocks combine skill, timing, power, and often the perfect match conditions.

2. Test Cricket – Endurance Meets Explosive Style

Test cricket, the longest format, typically rewards patience. But even here, batsmen have delivered electric centuries.

Brendon McCullum – 54 balls (2016, vs Australia, Christchurch)

• He scored 100 off just 54 balls in his final Test innings in Christchurch—a perfect send-off known for dominating strike play over his career.

Viv Richards & Misbah-ul-Haq – 56 balls

• Before McCullum, Viv Richards (Antigua, ’85–86) and Misbah (Abu Dhabi, ’14–15) shared the 56‑ball record.

Other notable blazing Test tons:

• Adam Gilchrist: 57 balls (Perth, 2006–07)
• Jack Gregory: 67 balls (Johannesburg, 1921–22)

Why this matters: These knockouts shake the Test format’s stereotype of grinding syntax, showing that even in five-day cricket, batsmen can explode within minutes.

3. One-Day Internationals (ODIs) – The Batting Arms Race

With each passing decade, ODI batting has evolved into a modern slugfest. Milestone centuries now come in weeks rather than hundreds of balls.

AB de Villiers – 31 balls (January 2015, vs West Indies, Johannesburg)

• The fastest ODI century of all time: 100 off 31 balls with 16 sixes and 9 fours. He ended with 149 off 44 balls at a strike rate of 338.63.
• This innings was a game-defining explosion that shaped modern ODI aggression.

Corey Anderson – 36 balls (January 2014, vs West Indies, Queenstown)

• Second-fastest ever: 100 off 36 balls. Finished unbeaten on 131 in a rain-shortened match.

Shahid Afridi – 37 balls (October 1996, vs Sri Lanka, Nairobi)

• Held the record for nearly 18 years. Debut Masterstroke: sixes lit the stadium.

Glenn Maxwell – 40 balls (October 2023, vs Netherlands, Delhi, WC 2023)

• Set the record for fastest ODI hundred at a World Cup.

Asif Khan – 41 balls (March 2023, vs Nepal)

• A shining moment from Associate Nations.

Mark Boucher – 44 balls (September 2006, vs Zimbabwe)

• South African keeper-batsman who shocked fans with 147.

Brian Lara – 45 balls (October 1999, vs Bangladesh)

• Elegant boundaries met fierce aggression: 18 fours + four sixes.

Additional highlights:

• Afridi (also 45 balls vs India, April 2005).
• Jesse Ryder – 46 balls.
• Jos Buttler – 46 balls (2015 vs Pakistan).
• Sanath Jayasuriya – 48 balls.

Quick Table of Top ODI Fastest Centuries

Rank	Player	Balls	Opponent	Date
1	AB de Villiers	31	West Indies	Jan 18, 2015
2	Corey Anderson	36	West Indies	Jan 1, 2014
3	Shahid Afridi	37	Sri Lanka	Oct 4, 1996
4	Glenn Maxwell	40	Netherlands	Oct 25, 2023
5	Asif Khan	41	Nepal	Mar 16, 2023
6	Mark Boucher	44	Zimbabwe	Sep 20, 2006
7	Brian Lara	45	Bangladesh	Oct 9, 1999

These centuries reflect the shift in ODI mindset—from cautious play to total dominance.

4. T20 Internationals – Pure Blitz

T20I is cricket’s shortest format, where a 30-ball century isn’t shocking—it’s expected.

Sahil Chauhan (Estonia) – 27 balls (June 17, 2024, vs Cyprus)

• Fastest T20I ton ever: 100 off 27 balls.
• Broke Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton’s previous 33-ball record and Chris Gayle’s 30-ball benchmark.

Other notable records:

• David Miller (South Africa) – 35 balls vs Bangladesh, 2017.
• Rohit Sharma (India) – also ~35 balls vs Sri Lanka, 2017.
• Sudesh Wickramasekara (Czech Republic) – 35 balls vs Turkey, 2019.

Fastest T20I tons table:

Player	Country	Balls
Sahil Chauhan	Estonia	27
David Miller	South Africa	35
Rohit Sharma	India	35
Sudesh Wickramasekara	Czech Rep	35

These demonstrate that in T20 matches, explosive aggression can eclipse traditional batting.

5. The Unsung Heroes

Longer formats sometimes hide speed:

• Percy Fender (First-class): 100 in 35 minutes (1920).
• David Hookes: 102 in 34 balls (Sheffield Shield, 1982).
• In Tests, Gilbert Jessop (1902) stood out: emerging new analysis suggests his century took just 72–74 balls—faster than the formerly believed 76—and still holds as England’s fastest-ever Test century.

These innings weren’t played in the modern T20 era, yet their speed remains unmatched in many cases. They remind us that explosive batting didn’t begin with powerplays—it has deep roots in cricket’s long history.

6. By Format: A Recap

Test Cricket (Longest format)

• McCullum – 54 balls
• Richards & Misbah – 56 balls
• Gilchrist – 57, Gregory – 67

ODI Cricket

• de Villiers – 31
• Anderson – 36
• Afridi – 37
• Maxwell – 40 (fastest in World Cup)
• Others: Boucher (44), Lara (45), Buttler (46), Jayasuriya (48)

T20 Internationals

• Chauhan – 27
• Miller, Sharma, Wickramasekara – 35

7. What Makes a Century “Fast”?

Several factors contribute to how fast a batsman can score a century. While the number of balls faced is the headline metric, many other details also influence the pace and impact of the innings.

1. Balls Faced:
   This is the most straightforward and reliable measure. A batsman scoring 100 in 30 balls has clearly outpaced someone who does it in 60, regardless of how much time it took in minutes. It ignores external factors like drinks breaks, delays, or lost overs, which makes it the fairest metric for comparison across eras and formats.
2. Strike Rate:
   Strike rate reveals how dominant a batsman was throughout their innings. For example, AB de Villiers had a strike rate of 338.63 during his 31-ball century, meaning he scored over three runs per ball—an astonishing feat. High strike rates often indicate complete control over the bowling and fearless shot-making.
3. Batting Position/Match Context:
   Players batting lower down the order (e.g., No. 6 or No. 7) often come in with fewer overs left and go all-out. Their centuries may come quickly but with higher risk. In contrast, openers or No. 3s may build their innings and accelerate later. Match situations also matter—chasing a huge target often brings urgency and risk-taking.
4. Opposition & Venue:
   Some centuries come against weaker bowling attacks or on batting-friendly pitches like those in Sharjah, Bangalore, or the Wanderers. However, a fast century still demands skill and bravery. Players still need to find gaps, time the ball, and hit cleanly. Big scores in tougher conditions—like McCullum’s Test hundred vs Australia—stand out even more.
5. Format Constraints:
   Shorter formats, like T20s and ODIs, naturally push batsmen to score faster due to over limits, powerplays, and fielding restrictions. Tests, on the other hand, traditionally reward patience. That’s why blazing Test centuries are rarer and often celebrated more—because they go against the grain of the format’s slow rhythm.

8. Milestone Comparisons Across Eras

• Pre-1990: Jayasuriya’s 48-ball ODI ton and Jasmeet’s early Test feats were rare sprint scores.
• ‘90s–2000s: Afridi broke old patterns (37 balls, 1996). Boucher shocked all from wicketkeeper role.
• 2010s: Modern hitters like de Villiers and Maxwell pushed boundaries.
• 2020s: Even Associate players like Asif Khan (41 balls) and Chauhan (27 balls) made history.

9. Why These Fast Centuries Matter

• Shift in Strategy: ODI and T20 batting now center on momentum and aggression.
• Entertainment Value: Quick-fire innings are the viral, social media-friendly product cricket audiences love.
• Changing Perceptions: Even in Test cricket, explosive batting redefines what’s possible.
• Inclusivity of Talent: Associate nations and young prodigies are now breaking records—like Chauhan at 27 balls, Khan, and even Suryavanshi (IPL century in 35 balls at age 14).

10. Beyond the Numbers: Stories Behind the Feats

• Brendon McCullum’s Farewell: His 54-ball blitz vs Australia was a personal and cultural statement in modern Test play.
• AB de Villiers: His 149 off 44 balls not only rewrote ODI records but also pushed global shot-making limits.
• Sahoori Chauhan: A case study in how cricket is now global—Estonia isn’t known for cricket, yet records still!

11. The Future: What’s Next?

Expect centuries in fewer balls:

• Is a 25-ball ODI century possible? Maybe—with more power-friendly rules.
• Could T20I records drop to under 25 balls as smaller stadiums and powerplays evolve?
• Staying unpredictable, Associate nations might drop the next shocking record.

12. Final Thoughts

• Test Cricket: These explosive centuries (McCullum, Richards, Misbah) blend classical technique with modern flair.
• ODI: AB de Villiers’s 31-ball century will likely stay atop the record charts for years to come.
• T20I: The format lives in milliseconds and here, Sahil Chauhan’s 27-ball ton is the new gold standard.
• Inclusive Spotlight: Records now come from big nations and minnows alike.

In short: The fastest centuries in cricket are a testament to developing technique, powerful bats, rules changes, and global chances. Whether in Tests or T20s, these innings redefine the art of scoring—a thrilling mix of skill, innovation, and fearless execution.