Scoring a century in One Day International (ODI) cricket at an incredibly fast pace is an extraordinary feat that showcases a player's ability to dominate the game under pressure. The fastest century in ODI cricket refers to the least number of deliveries taken by a player to reach 100 runs in a One Day International match. This record is an indicator of the batsman's aggressive approach and skill in scoring runs at a rapid rate.
Rank | Player | Balls Faced | Opponent | Year |
1 | AB de Villiers | 31 | West Indies | 2015 |
2 | Corey Anderson | 36 | West Indies | 2014 |
3 | Shahid Afridi | 37 | Sri Lanka | 1996 |
4 | Mark Boucher | 44 | Zimbabwe | 2006 |
5 | Brian Lara | 45 | Bangladesh | 1999 |
6 | Shahid Afridi | 45 | India | 2005 |
7 | Jesse Ryder | 46 | West Indies | 2014 |
8 | Jos Buttler | 46 | Pakistan | 2015 |
9 | Sanath Jayasuriya | 48 | Pakistan | 1996 |
10 | Kevin O'Brien | 50 | England | 2011 |
11 | Glenn Maxwell | 51 | Sri Lanka | 2015 |
12 | Virender Sehwag | 52 | West Indies | 2011 |
13 | Jos Buttler | 52 | West Indies | 2019 |
14 | Eoin Morgan | 52 | Afghanistan | 2019 |
15 | Chris Gayle | 53 | England | 2019 |
16 | Shahid Afridi | 53 | Bangladesh | 2010 |
17 | MM Ali | 53 | West Indies | 2017 |
18 | JM Bairstow | 54 | Scotland | 2018 |
19 | Heinrich Klaasen | 54 | West Indies | 2023 |
20 | Sikandar Raza | 54 | Netherlands | 2023 |
21 | ST Jayasuriya | 55 | Bangladesh | 2008 |
22 | CH Gayle | 55 | England | 2019 |
23 | JP Faulkner | 57 | India | 2013 |
24 | AB de Villiers | 57 | India | 2015 |
25 | NLTC Perera | 57 | New Zealand | 2019 |
Known for his innovative and fearless batting, AB de Villiers reached his century off just 31 balls against the West Indies in 2015, setting a record that still stands today. His ability to score runs all around the ground and adapt to any situation makes him one of the most dangerous batsmen in ODI history.
The New Zealand all-rounder burst onto the scene with an explosive 36-ball century against the West Indies in 2014. Anderson's power-hitting and aggressive style allowed him to reach this milestone with ease, showcasing his potential as a formidable ODI batsman.
Known as "Boom Boom" Afridi, he was one of the most aggressive batsmen the game has ever seen. His 37-ball century against Sri Lanka in 1996 introduced the world to his fearless hitting. Afridi repeated similar heroics against India in 2005, further cementing his reputation.
The South African wicketkeeper-batsman played a blazing knock of 44-ball century against Zimbabwe in 2006. Known more for his keeping skills, this innings highlighted Boucher's ability to deliver with the bat when needed.
Legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara made his mark with a 45-ball century against Bangladesh in 1999. His elegant stroke play, combined with his aggressive approach, showcased his ability to accelerate at will.
Jesse Ryder: Jesse Ryder’s 46-ball century against the West Indies in 2014 demonstrated his natural power-hitting abilities. The New Zealand opener was capable of attacking from the outset, and this innings was a testament to his aggressive style.
The English wicketkeeper-batsman scored two 46-ball centuries, one against Pakistan in 2015 and another against the West Indies in 2019. Buttler's innovative shots and aggressive mindset have made him a key figure in modern ODI cricket.
The Sri Lankan legend scored a century off 48 balls against Pakistan in 1996. Jayasuriya is known for revolutionizing the role of the ODI opener, with his ferocious batting skills giving opponents a sense of trepidation and often bringing efficient scoring to his team on the field.
Rank | Player | Balls Faced | Opponent | Year |
1 | Kevin O'Brien | 50 | England | 2011 |
2 | Glenn Maxwell | 51 | Sri Lanka | 2015 |
3 | AB de Villiers | 52 | West indies | 2015 |
4 | Eoin Morgan | 57 | Afghanistan | 2019 |
5 | Matthew Hayden | 66 | South Africa | 2007 |
6 | Martin Guptill | 69 | Sri Lanka | 2015 |
7 | Kumar Sangakkara | 70 | England | 2015 |
8 | Kapil Dev | 72 | Zimbabwe | 1983 |
9 | Adam Gilchrist | 72 | Sri Lanka | 2007 |
10 | Ricky Ponting | 73 | India | 2003 |
11 | Virat Kohli | 75 | Pakistan | 2015 |
12 | Chris Gayle | 75 | Zimbabwe | 2015 |
13 | Sourav Ganguly | 75 | Sri Lanka | 1999 |
14 | Jos Buttler | 76 | Australia | 2019 |
15 | David Warner | 77 | Bangladesh | 2019 |
Kevin O'Brien is century against England in the 2011 World Cup is the fastest in World Cup history, scored in just 50 balls. Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers are other significant contributors with rapid centuries in World Cup matches. In addition, the other players in the above table are also Fastest Centuries in the ODI World Cup, including Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers, who are well-known cricket batsmen with excellent scoring ability.
Virat Kohli holds the record for the fastest ODI century by an Indian, reaching the milestone in just 52 balls against Australia in 2013. Other notable Indian players who have scored fast centuries include Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh.
Virat Kohli's fastest century in ODI cricket came off 52 balls against Australia in 2013.
Rohit Sharma's fastest century in ODI cricket was off 82 balls against Australia in 2016.
MS Dhoni's fastest century in ODI cricket came off 66 balls against Sri Lanka in 2005.
The fastest century in Test cricket is held by Brendon McCullum, who scored it in 54 balls against Australia in 2016.
Chris Gayle holds the record for the fastest double century in ODI cricket, reaching the mark in 138 balls against Zimbabwe in 2015.