5 Fastest centuries in IPL history
The Indian Premier League has witnessed some of the most breathtaking knocks played over the years. With the 15th edition of IPL slated to start from March 26 (Saturday), let us look at the five fastest centuries in the world’s biggest cricketing league.
5. AB de Villiers and David Warner (43 balls)
Two superstars of the game, AB de Villiers and David Warner are the joint holders of the fifth spot. Both batters have smashed a hundred taking just 43 balls. De Villiers’ knock came against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2016. The right-handed batter made 129 runs in just 52 balls. Meanwhile, Warner knock came one year later against two-time champions KKR. The left-handed-batter slammed 126 runs off only 59 balls including 10 fours and eight sixes.
4. Adam Gilchrist (42 balls)
Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist comes fourth in the list. The left-handed-batter struck a 42-ball hundred in the first season of IPL. To note, Deccan Chargers (DC) were chasing a target of 155 runs against Mumbai Indians and Gilchrist single-handedly destroyed the MI’s bowling line up. DC went on to win the contest by 10 wickets.
3. David Miller (38 balls)
South African batter David Miller is probably one of biggest hard-hitters of the cricket ball. Miller scored a hundred against the RCB in IPL 2013. The left-handed-batter took only 38 balls to reach the landmark. Chasing a target of 191 runs, Punjab were reeling at 64/4 in 9.5 overs. However, Miller’s antics with the bat helped his side to win the contest within 18 overs.
2. Yusuf Pathan (37 balls)
Former Indian batter Yusuf Pathan smashed a hundred in only 37 deliveries against Mumbai Indians in 2010. His side was chasing a mammoth total of 213 runs and Pathan kept his team in play till he got out. The Royals eventually lost the contest by a bare margin of four runs.
1. Chris Gayle (30 balls)
Chris Gayle currently has the record of making the fastest century in IPL. The knock came against Pune Warriors in IPL 2013. The left-handed-batter reached the three-figure mark in only 30 balls. He went on to score 175 runs in only 66 balls. He also smashed 17 sixes and 13 fours in his memorable innings. His side RCB went on to win the match by a huge margin of 130 runs.