Quick-fire tons: Five Fastest IPL centuries
Ever since the inception of the Indian Premier League, batsmen have had an upper hand. It’s the T20 format which puts a batsman miles ahead of the opposition bowlers. The IPL, over the years, has witnessed many enthralling batting knocks. Several batsmen have hogged the headlines by decimating bowlers on a particular day and cruising to a quick-fire ton. Here are the five fastest centuries in the IPL:
5. AB de Villiers and David Warner (43 balls)
Two of the most explosive batsmen of the sport– AB de Villiers and David Warner– wreaked havoc on bowlers and enthralled the audience with a flurry of boundaries. While De Villiers enchanted the crowd at Chinnaswamy in 2016, Warner made the audience stand on their feet at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in 2017.
An integral part of RCB’s batting force, De Villiers smashed 52-ball 129 against Gujarat Lions and struck 10 fours and 12 sixes at a blistering strike-rate of over 248. His batting exploits played a vital role in RCB’s win. Similarly, Australia southpaw Warner also flaunted his class and demolished Kolkata Knight Riders with his 59-ball 126. He smashed 10 fours and 8 sixes to pave his way in the fastest IPL centuries list.
4. Adam Gilchrist (42 balls)
Australia veteran was arguably one of the most destructive batsmen of his era. The left-hander possessed the reputation of being one of the most dangerous opening batsmen. Gilchrist, against a strong Mumbai Indians side, dispatched his most explosive knock in the IPL as he smoked a ton off just 42 deliveries.
Deccan Chargers were chasing a total of 155 when the Gilchrist storm guided them to the triumph. The southpaw took MI bowlers to the cleaners, registering 109 off just 42 balls to seal the victory for DC. He struck 9 fours and 10 sixes in his knock and is still standing fourth in the list of fastest IPL centuries.
3. David Miller (38 balls)
David Miller 3rd fastest century in IPL. Awesome striking finishes with 101*off 38 balls. pic.twitter.com/XwNQ11Sozz
— sam (@SandeepVs52) May 6, 2013
South Africa’s David Miller pulled off one of the best knocks of his career in 2013. While donning the Kings XI Punjab jersey, Miller shattered many records by smashing a 38-ball ton against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
RCB bowling force has always been criticised for their inconsistent effort and Miller didn’t spare the Virat Kohli-led side’s bowling force on that particular day. After coming to bat at No.5, Miller produced a sensational 38-ball ton to cruise Punjab to a six-wicket win. ‘Killer Miller’ completely turned the tide, scoring runs at an unbelievable strike-rate of 265. He even struck 8 fours and 7 sixes to etch his name in the list of fastest IPL centuries.
2. Yusuf Pathan (37 balls)
Known for his explosive batting style and handy bowling, Yusuf Pathan produced a breathtaking knock against Mumbai Indians in 2010. Yusuf smoked a ton in just 37 deliveries while representing Rajasthan Royals and left the MI bowling attack in dismay.
While chasing 213, Yusuf scored at a scintillating strike-rate of 270, registering a blistering ton in a nail-biting thriller. However, Yusuf’s knock wasn’t enough to steer Rajasthan to the triumph as they lost the match by just four runs.
1. Chris Gayle (30 balls)
? | MEMORY LANE
On this day in 2013, Chris Gayle, smashed the fastest century in history, scoring his hundred from just 30 balls in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore:https://t.co/Mri8G4lwHW
— Star Sports Bookmakers (@StarSports_Bet) April 23, 2020
One of the devastating openers of the game, Chris Gayle has a knack of pulling out enthralling knocks whenever he’s on song. Chinnaswamy experienced a Gayle storm in 2013 as the Caribbean giant smoked a ton against Pune Warriors off just 30 deliveries.
Gayle finished with a mind-boggling score of 175* off just 66 deliveries, the highest score so far in the history of the IPL. The left-hander smashed 13 fours and 17 sixes as the world witnessed an astonishing batting display. The Pune bowlers were left stunned by Gayle’s explosion with his willow. Gayle smashed his knock at an astounding strike-rate of over 266 as RCB clinched the encounter by a massive 130-run margin.
