Scoring a hundred is special. Scoring one at a run-a-ball-plus pace is legendary. Here are the fastest centuries in cricket history across all three international formats.
Fastest Century in Test Cricket
- Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) — 54 balls vs Australia, Christchurch 2016. A breathtaking farewell innings, still the fastest Test hundred ever
- Viv Richards (West Indies) — 56 balls vs England, 1986. The original king of destruction, decades ahead of his time
- Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan) — 56 balls vs Australia, 2014. Equalled Richards’ record with an astonishing assault
Fastest Century in ODI Cricket
- AB de Villiers (South Africa) — 31 balls vs West Indies, Johannesburg 2015. The fastest ODI hundred of all time — a 360-degree masterclass
- Corey Anderson (New Zealand) — 36 balls vs West Indies, 2014. Held the record briefly before de Villiers shattered it
- Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) — 37 balls vs Sri Lanka, 1996. A 16-year-old’s record that stood for 18 years
Fastest Century in T20I Cricket
- Sahil Chauhan (Estonia) — 27 balls vs Cyprus, 2024. The fastest T20I hundred ever in international cricket
- Among major nations, rapid hundreds by players like Rohit Sharma and David Miller (both 35 balls) set the standard
Why These Records Matter
Fast centuries change matches in sessions, demoralise attacks, and define eras — from Viv Richards’ swagger to AB de Villiers’ innovation, each record reflects how batting aggression has evolved.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who has the fastest century in Test cricket?
Brendon McCullum — 54 balls against Australia in 2016, in his final Test match.
Who has the fastest ODI century?
AB de Villiers — 31 balls against West Indies in 2015.
Who has the fastest T20I century?
Sahil Chauhan of Estonia — 27 balls against Cyprus in 2024.
What is the fastest century by an Indian?
In ODIs, Virat Kohli’s 52-ball hundred; in T20Is, Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball hundred ranks among the fastest by a top-nation batter.
Final Summary
From McCullum’s 54-ball Test blitz to de Villiers’ 31-ball ODI hurricane, the fastest centuries in history share one thing: fearless intent. These records are the high-water marks of batting aggression — and every generation produces someone determined to break them.
Green Benn is a dedicated sports writer specializing in cricket, including IPL and international formats. Known for clear, engaging, and informative content, Green simplifies complex match analysis and player statistics for all readers. Passionate about sports storytelling, Green delivers reliable, SEO-friendly articles that keep fans updated and informed
