The Indian Premier League matches are famous for their high-octane action with incredible sixes and productions that break records. Among these feats, scoring a century in the least time possible stands out as one of the most exciting ones in T20 cricket. Fast centuries not only boost the team’s score but also discourage the competitors. Time and again, certain batsmen over the centuries have reigned in rewriting the record books by scoring the fastest centuries in the history of the IPL.
This article looks at the fastest centuries in the IPL, the players that made them happen, and how that performance has shaped the tournament’s history.
Fastest Centuries in IPL: Top Performances
In T20 cricket, scoring a century is quite remarkable, but scoring it in under 50 balls is quite extraordinary. Let’s have a look at the fastest 100s in the history of the IPL betting with the number of balls played.
Fastest 100 in IPL: Check the Complete List Below
| Player | Runs | Balls | Against | Balls For Century | Year |
| Chris Gayle | 175* | 66 | PWI | 30 | 2013 |
| Yusuf Pathan | 100 | 37 | MI | 37 | 2010 |
| David Miller | 101* | 38 | RCB | 38 | 2013 |
| Travis Head | 102 | 41 | RCB | 39 | 2024 |
| Will Jacks | 100* | 41 | GT | 41 | 2024 |
| Adam Gilchrist | 109* | 47 | MI | 42 | 2008 |
| AB de Villiers | 129* | 52 | GL | 43 | 2016 |
| David Warner | 126 | 59 | KKR | 43 | 2017 |
Chris Gayle’s Record-Breaking 30-Ball Century (2013)
Chris Gayle’s 175 not out (66) against Pune Warriors India in 2013 still remains the fastest century in IPL history. He reached 100 runs in just 30 balls and set a benchmark that has yet to be matched.
Gayle’s Century In Brief:
- Balls Faced for 100: 30
- Innings Score: 175* off 66
- Fours & Sixes: 13 fours, 17 sixes
- Strike Rate: 265.15
- Match Result: RCB won by 130 runs
This unbelievable innings helped RCB to post the innings 263/5, one of IPL’s most significant totals.
Other Fastest Century in IPL History
2. Yusuf Pathan-Knock 37 Balls (2010, Rajasthan Royals vs. Mumbai Indians)
- Score: 100 off 37 deliveries.
- Boundaries: 8 balls beyond the ropes, 9 balls touching the ground to reach the boundary.
- Strike Rate: 270.27
- Impact: Even though Rajasthan Royals lost by 4 runs, Yusuf’s century remains monumental.
3. David Miller-Knock 38 Balls (2013, Kings XI Punjab vs. RCB)
- Score: 101* off 38 balls.
- Boundaries: 8 sixes, 7 fours.
- Match Result: KXIP won by 6 wickets.
4. Adam Gilchrist in 42 Balls (2008, Deccan Chargers vs. Mumbai Indians)
Score: An unbeaten 109 runs in 47 balls
Boundaries: Nine sixes and nine fours
Impact: One of the first explosive centuries ever in IPL history.
5. AB de Villiers in 43 Balls (2016, RCB vs. Gujarat Lions)
Score: An unbeaten 129 runs in 52 balls
Boundaries: Twelve sixes and ten fours
Match Result: RCB won by 144 runs.
Impact of Fast Centuries in IPL
Why are Fastest 100s Important?
Contributions towards winning matches: Recently scored centuries would put the team in a commanding position.
- Entertainment factor: An IPL cricket match is based on T20 format, which makes the matches thrilling when centuries come swiftly.
- Enhanced player valuation: The players capable of scoring centuries at a quick pace become hot picks in the IPL auction.
- Momentum for the team: A century within a short period of time can change the entire flow of the game.
Which team recorded the fastest 100s?
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) tops the list with the fastest centuries in the history of IPL thanks to the contributions made by cricketers Chris Gayle, AB de Villers, and Virat Kohli.
Over the years, IPL gained prominence due to some of the fastest and most exciting centuries in the history of cricket. Chris Gayle’s 30-ball century in 2013 is still the fastest century of all time in the IPL, while the scintillating show by Yusuf Pathan, David Miller, and AB de Villiers is not too far behind.
As people completely gear up for IPL 2025, the question lies ahead of whether will anybody dethrone Chris Gayle’s record. With Jos Buttler, Glenn Maxwell, and Suryakumar Yadav in their prime as power hitters, we may soon get to see yet another fastest IPL century.
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Which one of those fast centuries is your favorite? Do let us know in the comments.