Fastest T20 Century in Men’s Cricket, Check the Complete List

Cricket is a sport known for its various achievements, but scoring a century (100 runs) is one of the most celebrated feats for a batter. In Twenty20 (T20) cricket, the shortest form of the game, hitting a century is even more impressive due to the limited number of balls in each innings.

Fastest century in T20

In June 2024, Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan set a new world record for the fastest century in T20 cricket. During a bilateral series match against Cyprus, Chauhan reached his hundred in just 27 balls.

Balls	Player	Team	Opponent	Year
27	Sahil Chauhan	Estonia	Cyprus	2024
30	Chris Gayle	Royal Challengers Bangalore	Pune Warriors	2013
32	Rishabh Pant	Delhi	Himachal Pradesh	2018
33	Wihan Lubbe	North West	Limpopo	2018
33	Nicol Loftie-Eaton	Namibia	Nepal	2024
34	Kushal Malla	Nepal	Mongolia	2023
34	Andrew Symonds	Kent	Middlesex	2004
34	Sean Abbott	Surrey	Kent	2023
35	David Miller	South Africa	Bangladesh	2017
35	Rohit Sharma	India	Sri Lanka	2017
35	Louis van der Westhuizen	Namibia	Kenya	2011
35	Sudesh Wickramasekara	Czech Republic	Turkey	2019
35	Martin Guptill	Worcestershire	Northamptonshire	2018

Chris Gayle: The Former Record Holder

The ‘Universe Boss’ Unleashed

Before Chauhan’s feat, Chris Gayle held the record for the fastest T20 century. The West Indian superstar achieved this milestone in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2013.

Breaking Down Gayle’s Innings

Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against Pune Warriors, Gayle’s performance was remarkable:

• Reached his hundred in 30 balls
• Broke Andrew Symonds’ previous record of 34 balls
• Finished with 175 runs off 66 balls (still the highest individual score in T20 cricket)
• Hit 17 sixes and 13 fours
• Helped RCB score 263/5 in 20 overs
• Led his team to a 130-run victory

Other Notable Fast Centuries

Rishabh Pant’s Domestic Brilliance

India’s Rishabh Pant holds the third spot on the list of fastest T20 centuries. In January 2018, during a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match:

• Pant scored a century in 32 balls
• Represented Delhi against Himachal Pradesh

The Significance of Fast Centuries in T20 Cricket

Impact on the Game

Rapid centuries in T20 cricket are important for several reasons:

1. Match-winning performances: These innings often single-handedly win games for their teams.
2. Entertainment value: Fast centuries excite fans and showcase the explosive nature of T20 cricket.
3. Tactical importance: Quick scoring puts immense pressure on the opposing team.

Challenges of Scoring Quick Centuries

Achieving such fast centuries requires:

• Exceptional hand-eye coordination
• Ability to hit boundaries consistently
• Mental toughness to take risks
• Physical fitness to maintain intensity

The Evolution of T20 Batting

Changing Approaches

Since its inception, T20 cricket has seen batters evolve their techniques:

• Increased focus on power-hitting
• Development of new shots like the scoop and reverse sweep
• Improved fitness levels to maintain high strike rates

Technology and Training

Modern batters benefit from:

• Advanced analytics to study opposing bowlers
• Specialized training equipment for power-hitting practice
• Video analysis to refine techniques