Fastest 100 in IPL: IPL Batting Records

By: Vision11 | April 5, 2025 | Leave a Comment

The Indian Premier League isn’t just a cricket tournament—it’s a full-blown cricket carnival. Since its launch in 2008, the IPL has delivered some of the most unforgettable moments in modern cricket. And among those thrilling highlights, one feat continues to leave fans in awe: the fastest century in IPL history.
In T20 cricket, scoring a century is no easy task. It’s rare, special, and demands a perfect mix of power, timing, and game awareness. But some players have done it in a way that defies logic—reaching 100 in the blink of an eye, changing the course of the match in just a few overs. Let’s dive into some of the most jaw-dropping fast centuries in the IPL and what made them so iconic.

Top 5 Fastest Centuries in IPL

Chris Gayle’s 30-Ball Mayhem – The Gold Standard (2013)
If you watched this live, you already know—it wasn’t just a century, it was destruction on a different level. Back in 2013, Chris Gayle smashed his way to an unbeaten 175 off just 66 balls for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors India.
What stood out? He brought up his 100 in just 30 balls.
Yes, you read that right. Thirty. Balls.
Gayle was in a different zone that day. Everything he touched disappeared into the stands. By the time he was done, he had hit 17 sixes and 13 boundaries. No bowler could stop him, and no fan watching could believe what they were witnessing. That knock still stands as the fastest hundred in IPL history—and honestly, it might never be broken.
Yusuf Pathan’s 37-Ball Counterattack (2010)
Before Gayle’s fireworks, there was Yusuf Pathan, the man who could turn a game on its head when he was on song. In 2010, playing for Rajasthan Royals against Mumbai Indians, Pathan walked in when his team was struggling. And then, almost single-handedly, he brought them back.
His century came in just 37 balls—aggressive, fearless, and vintage Yusuf. He kept clearing the ropes like it was just another net session. Though Rajasthan eventually lost by a whisker, Pathan’s innings remains etched in the memory of IPL fans as one of the most spirited comebacks.
David Miller’s “Killer” 38-Ball Knock (2013)
“If it’s in the arc, it’s out of the park.” That line summed up David Miller’s iconic 38-ball century for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Punjab were down and out chasing 190+, and then Miller walked in and changed everything. With clean hitting and a calm head, he tore apart the bowling lineup. He ended unbeaten on 101, and KXIP walked away with a win that looked impossible just an hour earlier.
It wasn’t just the power—Miller’s composure and confidence under pressure made that century even more special.
Adam Gilchrist’s 42-Ball Knock in the First IPL (2008)
When the IPL began in 2008, not everyone was sure what to expect. Then came Adam Gilchrist, the Aussie legend, showing exactly what the format was all about.
Playing for Deccan Chargers, Gilchrist smashed a 42-ball century against Mumbai Indians. It was fearless, clean hitting, and exactly the kind of innings that helped define the identity of the IPL in its early days. He finished on 109*, and the Chargers chased down their target with overs to spare.
AB de Villiers – 43 Balls of Genius (2016)
AB de Villiers is, in many ways, the most complete batter modern cricket has seen. In 2016, he put on an absolute show against Gujarat Lions, racing to a hundred in just 43 balls and finishing with 129*.
There was no safe area on the field. He hit sixes over cover, pulled off scoops, flicked sixes over midwicket—basically, he made cricket look easy. Alongside Virat Kohli (who also scored a ton in that game), AB made it look like batting on a different level. That game still ranks as one of the most dominant partnerships in IPL history.

Read Also : The Players with the Most Sixes in T20 Internationals

Why These Centuries Matter

T20 cricket moves fast, and these innings remind us just how quickly a game can turn. But it’s not just about big scores. These centuries changed matches, lifted teams, and gave fans moments to cherish for life.

They came under pressure: Many of these knocks weren’t just flashy—they came when the team was in a tight spot.
They showed skill and maturity: Fast doesn’t mean reckless. These players picked their shots and executed them with class.
They entertained millions: Whether you watched it at the ground or on TV, these innings made you stop everything and just enjoy the brilliance.

Can Gayle’s Record Be Broken?

Let’s be honest—30 balls for a century is almost mythical. But cricket is evolving. Players are getting fitter, stronger, and more fearless. With shorter boundaries and bolder strategies, someone might just break that record one day.
Names like Glenn Maxwell, Suryakumar Yadav, Jos Buttler, and Heinrich Klaasen come to mind. On the right pitch, with the right rhythm, anything is possible. But for now, Gayle sits alone at the top.

Conclusion

The IPL has never been short on drama or talent, but the fastest centuries? They’re in a league of their own. These innings are a blend of boldness, brilliance, and pure entertainment. They remind us why we love this format and why we keep coming back every season.
Whether you’re cheering from the stands or following every ball from your couch, these are the moments that make the IPL special. And who knows—maybe this season, someone will light up the league with a century even faster than Gayle’s. Now that would be something.