Fastest Centuries in Cricket: Who Holds the Record?

When you think of breathtaking moments in cricket, a lightning-fast century is always near the top of the list. Watching a batter tear into the opposition, smashing boundaries with fearless intent, and reaching triple digits in no time—it’s the stuff fans live for. Records are made to be broken, but in the case of the fastest centuries in cricket, some milestones stand out like timeless monuments of power, timing, and audacity.

So, who truly holds the crown for the quickest hundred in cricket history? Let’s take a look at the fastest tons ever recorded across all formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20s—and what made each of them unforgettable.

What Makes a Century “Fast”?

Before diving into the record books, let’s clarify what we mean by fastest centuries in cricket. We’re talking about the fewest number of balls faced to reach the 100-run mark. It’s not just about strike rate or time taken—this record is all about pure scoring speed, ball by ball.

Now, onto the fireworks.

Fastest Century in ODI Cricket – AB de Villiers (South Africa) – 31 Balls

Arguably the most mind-blowing innings in modern cricket came from the bat of AB de Villiers in January 2015. Facing the West Indies in Johannesburg, the South African maestro rewrote the record books by bringing up his century in just 31 balls—shattering the previous record held by Shahid Afridi (37 balls).

That day, de Villiers was in another dimension. Sixes flew like confetti. Fours rained down like summer showers. He ended up with 149 off 44 balls, a knock so destructive that it left fans and statisticians in disbelief. It wasn’t brute force alone—it was innovation, timing, and sheer genius.

Fastest Century in Test Cricket – Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) – 54 Balls

When it comes to Test cricket, speed is usually not the first thing that comes to mind. But Brendon McCullum turned tradition on its head during his farewell Test in 2016. Playing against Australia in Christchurch, he smashed a hundred off just 54 deliveries, breaking Viv Richards’ long-standing record.

It wasn’t just about setting a record—it was McCullum’s swan song. He attacked from ball one, showing no fear and total freedom. That hundred wasn’t just fast—it was emotional, raw, and unforgettable.

Fastest Century in T20 Internationals – David Miller & Rohit Sharma (35 Balls)

T20 cricket is built for fireworks, and records tend to tumble often. But as of now, two players share the record for the fastest T20I century—David Miller of South Africa and Rohit Sharma of India. Both reached the milestone in just 35 balls.

Miller’s knock came against Bangladesh in 2017, and it was carnage from start to finish. Rohit’s century came the same year, against Sri Lanka. What’s interesting is that both innings showcased calculated aggression—risk balanced with perfect timing.

Honorable Mentions: Other Blazing Fast Centuries

While the top three above lead the pack, many others have etched their names into the fast-century club:

Shahid Afridi – Known as “Boom Boom,” Afridi once held the ODI record with a 37-ball ton against Sri Lanka in 1996.
Corey Anderson – Held the ODI record briefly with a 36-ball century against the West Indies in 2014.
Chris Gayle – Scored a century off 30 balls in the IPL, which is still the fastest ton in T20 franchise cricket.
Kevin O’Brien – Scored the fastest World Cup century (50 balls) for Ireland against England in 2011.
Adam Gilchrist – His 57-ball ton in the 2007 World Cup final was one of the most impactful centuries ever played.

These are just a few names from a long list of fearless strikers who turned innings into onslaughts.

Fastest Centuries in IPL History

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a stage where power-hitters showcase their best. The fastest century in IPL belongs to Chris Gayle, who scored a 100 off just 30 balls in 2013 for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors. That innings turned into a record-shattering 175*, the highest individual score in T20s.

Other quick tons in the IPL include:

Yusuf Pathan – 37-ball century (2010)
David Miller – 38 balls (2013)
Adam Gilchrist – 42 balls (2008)

These knocks changed games in a matter of minutes and remain etched in fan memory.

What It Takes to Score a Fast Century

So what separates the fastest hundreds from regular ones? It’s a mix of several things:

Fearlessness: Batters need to go hard from ball one, with no fear of failure.
Timing: It’s not always about brute strength; perfect timing plays a big part.
Shot Range: Players like AB de Villiers and Jos Buttler succeed because they can score 360 degrees around the field.
Reading the Field: Recognizing gaps, reading bowlers, and exploiting matchups is key.
Mindset: Scoring quickly requires a different mental approach—one that blends confidence with quick decision-making.

Fast centuries don’t happen by accident. They’re a combination of talent, situation, and sheer will.

Why the Fastest Centuries Matter

In a game where patience is often valued, the fastest centuries in cricket represent something beautifully chaotic. They’re reminders of cricket’s evolving nature—how it embraces speed, aggression, and entertainment alongside tradition and technique.

These records also offer something special to fans. They bring people to the edge of their seats. They create viral moments. They make children pick up bats and dream of hitting sixes into the stands.

More than anything, fast centuries add an electric pulse to the heartbeat of the game.

Final Thoughts

The list of the fastest centuries in cricket is more than just a stat sheet. It’s a celebration of daring players who weren’t afraid to take risks. From AB de Villiers’ masterclass to Brendon McCullum’s parting gift to Test cricket, every rapid century tells a story of dominance and flair.

As cricket continues to evolve with new formats and innovations, one thing’s for sure—the race for the next fastest hundred is always on. And when it happens, the world will be watching.