Blazing tons: Fastest centuries in T20 World Cups
The T20 World Cup is the biggest stage in the T20 format. Not only is the nature of T20 cricket fast and exhilarating, there is also the added excitement due to the fact that the stakes are high when the T20 World Cup is thrown into the picture.
And, it is indeed a challenging task for a batsman to score a century in the T20 format, as there are only 120 balls available for the entire team. So, not only should a batsman play fast if he has to score a century, but he also has to make sure that he does not perish in a bid to up the ante. In this article, let us take a look at the 5 fastest centuries in T20 World Cup history.
5. Suresh Raina (59 balls)
Indian left-hander Suresh Raina occupies 5th place in the list. On 2nd May 2010, Raina pummeled the South African bowling attack to submission. Walking in with the scorecard reading 4/1, Raina was in total control. His innings was studded with 9 fours and 5 sixes, with his century coming off just 59 deliveries. Raina’s three-figure knock helped India to amass a total of 186 runs in their allotted 20 overs.
In reply, even though South Africa came close, they could not overhaul the target. The only South African batsman who stood defiantly and took the fight to the Indian side was batting legend Jacques Kallis. The bulky right-hander scored 73 off just 54 deliveries at the top of the order. But then, once Kallis departed in the 17th over of the match, the South African side wilted under pressure, as India beat the Proteas by 14 runs.
4. Ahmed Shehzad (58 balls)
The fourth place in the list is taken by Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad. During the 2014 edition of the T20 World Cup that was held in Bangladesh, Shehzad blasted a breathtaking 62-ball 111 against the hosts. Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. And from the word go, Shehzad stamped his authority over the opposition.
In a knock laced with 10 fours and 5 sixes, the opening batsman sent the opposition on a leather hunt. Shehzad’s century allowed the Pakistan outfit to post a massive total of 190/5. The Bangladeshi willow wielders crumbled under the pressure of a massive target and could manage to score just 140/7 in their allotted 20 overs. As far as the bowlers are concerned, Umar Gul picked up 3 wickets for Pakistan, giving away 30 runs. Needless to say, Shehzad walked away with the Man of the Match award for his sizzling innings.
3. Brendon McCullum (51 balls)
He was a man who could wreak absolute havoc with the bat in hand. Brendon McCullum could decimate any bowling attack on his day, and on 21st September 2012 at Pallekele, the Bangladesh bowlers experienced the wrath from McCullum’s blade first hand. Walking in at No.3 with the scorecard reading 19/1, McCullum sent the ball in every direction that he wanted to.
He scored his century off just 51 deliveries, as the Bangladeshi bowlers were left gaping at the savagery that McCullum displayed out in the middle. His brutal 123 helped New Zealand to pile up a total of 191/3 in 20 overs. In reply, apart from Nasir Hossain who scored a half-century, none of the other Bangladeshi batsmen could even cross the 30-run mark, as New Zealand decimated their opponents by 59 runs.
2. Chris Gayle (50 balls)
When Chris Gayle is on a song, there is a shiver that runs down the spine of the opposition. Not only can Gayle smash the cricket ball with unmatched power, but he can also hit the ball to distances that other batsmen cannot even fathom.
In the very first edition of the T20 World Cup that was held in South Africa in the year 2007, Gayle took the Proteas bowling attack by the scruff of the neck and tore every bowler apart. The Jamaican batting behemoth scored his century off just 50 balls, at a strike rate of 200, as West Indies piled up a total of 205 runs on the board. But then, Gayle’s century went in vain as the hosts chased down the target comfortably with 8 wickets and 14 balls to spare. For the Proteas, it was Herschelle Gibbs’ whirlwind 55-ball 90 that allowed them to canter home with ease.
1. Chris Gayle (47 balls)
Yet again, we are going to sing the paeans of Chris Gayle, for he bags the No.1 spot as well. And, this time it was England’s turn to feel the pain. On 16th March 2016, at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, the left-handed batting gladiator allowed his side to chase down a challenging target of 183 by scoring a marauding 48 ball unbeaten century.
England batted first and piled up a total of 182/6 on the board, courtesy of a 36-ball 48 from Joe Root and a whirlwind 14-ball unbeaten 27 from skipper Eoin Morgan. But then, the England bowlers were not prepared for the Gayle storm that hit them on that day. Gayle’s ton helped the West Indies to overhaul the target comfortably with 4 wickets and 11 balls to spare. And till date, it remains the fastest century in T20 World Cup history.
