Top 10 Fastest Centuries in the T20 World Cup

A century in a T20 format is a big achievement for any player. This is because there are only 120 balls in the innings and to get a century in those is one of the hardest tasks in the game of cricket. While in Tests and ODIs, batters can take their time to settle in and then unleash, but in T20s, if you take time, the team might lose and hence going after bowlers right from ball 1 is the demand of the format. 

While hitting a century in a 20-over game means a lot for batters, doing it on the big stage, especially in T20 World Cups makes it one of dream things for batters. Over the years, there have been quite a few players who have slammed tons in the mega event and have etched their names in record books. In this piece, we take a look at the Fastest century in the T20 World Cup.

10 Fastest Centuries in T20 World Cup

1. Chris Gayle’s century in 47 balls against England in 2016 and hundred in 50 balls against South Africa in 2007

Universe Boss Chris Gayle holds the record for the Fastest century in the T20 World Cup. Him being at the top of the list is no surprise, especially with the kind of batter that he was. He believed only in destroying the bowling lineups of the team and is rated as the best batter in the shortest format of the game. Chris Gayle scored the fastest century in the tournament when he slammed a 47-ball ton against England in the 2016 edition. He broke his record of century in 50 balls, which he scored against South Africa in the inaugural edition in 2007. He is the only batter to have scored 2 centuries in T20 World Cup history. 

2. Brendon McCullum’s century in 51 balls against Bangladesh in 2012

Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum has the third-fastest century in the history of the T20 World Cup 2024. He slammed a ton in 51 balls against Bangladesh in the 2012 edition of the World Cup. The keeper-batter played a magnificent innings for his team which eventually innings helped New Zealand win the match by 59 runs. He ended with an innings of 123 runs off just 58 balls, which is the highest score by a player in the T20 World Cup history.

3. Rilee Rossouw’s century in 52 balls against Bangladesh in 2022

South Africa batter Rilee Rossouw, who has risen in ranks in T20Is by leaps and bounds, is also on the list of the Fastest century in the T20 World Cup. He is the only Proteas batter to have scored a century in the World Cup and he achieved the feat in the 2022 edition of the tournament, which took place in Australia. He slammed a ton against Bangladesh in just 52 balls and his innings was laced with 7 fours and 8 sixes, which powered the team to a total of 205 runs and eventually won the game. 

4. Ahmed Shahzad’s century in 58 balls against Bangladesh in 2014

Pakistan batter Ahmed Shahzad, who was rated highly in Pakistan cricket, is also amongst the players to have scored the fastest century in the T20 World Cup. The opening batter achieved the feat in the 2014 edition of the league against Bangladesh. He slammed the ton in just 58 balls and ended with the knock of 111 runs, 10 fours and 5 sixes. He is also the only Pakistan batter to have scored a century in the T20 World Cup 2024. 

5. Suresh Raina’s century in 59 balls against South Africa in 2010

India batter Suresh Raina, who is the only Indian batter to hit a century in the T20 World Cup, has the sixth-fastest century in the T20 World Cup. He slammed a hundred in just 59 balls against South Africa in the 2010 edition of the league. This was also the first century by the Indian batter in the history of the T20I. He also became the first batter from India to score a century in all three formats of the game.