Fastest Century in T20 – Top 10 Quickest Hundreds in T20I & IPL
Fastest Century in T20 is one of the most explosive records in modern cricket. The format is built for speed, power, and relentless attacking—but even in T20 cricket, reaching 100 runs in under 35 balls is unbelievably rare. Fans keep asking: Who actually holds the record for the fastest century in T20?
In this evergreen guide, we list the quickest hundreds across T20 Internationals (T20I), the IPL, and major T20 competitions, explain how the record is measured, and separate viral myths from verified stats. If you want an all-format version (Test + ODI + T20 + IPL), we’ll link this post from our upcoming pillar page: Fastest Century in Cricket History.
- Fastest Century in T20I: Sahil Chauhan (Estonia) – 27 balls
- Fastest Century in IPL: Chris Gayle (RCB) – 30 balls
- Fastest Century by an Indian (Major T20): Rishabh Pant – 32 balls
1. Sahil Chauhan (Estonia) – 27 Balls (T20I World Record)
- Balls to 100: 27
- Match: Estonia vs Cyprus (2024)
You might not expect the fastest century in T20 to come from Estonia, but Sahil Chauhan stunned the cricket world in 2024. His innings became a headline moment for Associate cricket, proving the game’s power revolution isn’t limited to top nations.
Why it matters: A 27-ball century is a boundary machine. In most cases, such innings are built on relentless six-hitting plus perfect timing on flat conditions.
2. Chris Gayle (West Indies/RCB) – 30 Balls (IPL Record)
- Balls to 100: 30
- Match: RCB vs Pune Warriors (IPL 2013)
Chris Gayle’s 30-ball hundred remains the most famous fastest century in T20 innings in franchise cricket. It wasn’t just the speed—it was the dominance. His 175* is still the highest individual score in IPL history, and the innings is a blueprint for T20 destruction.
Why it matters: This record happened in the IPL, against elite international bowlers, under intense spotlight. That’s why it stays iconic.
3. Rishabh Pant (Delhi) – 32 Balls (Indian Record – Major T20)
- Balls to 100: 32
- Match: Delhi vs Himachal (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy)
Rishabh Pant’s 32-ball century remains one of the fastest by an Indian batter in the T20 format. Long before he became a household name, this innings showed his fearless shot-making and ability to attack from ball one—exactly what defines a fastest century in T20 performance.
4. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (Namibia) – 33 Balls
- Balls to 100: 33
- Match: Namibia vs Nepal (2024)
Loftie-Eaton’s 33-ball hundred showed how quickly Associate teams have adapted to modern T20 aggression. It was one of the key innings that made fans realize the fastest century in T20 race was shifting beyond traditional cricket powers.
5. Kushal Malla (Nepal) – 34 Balls
- Balls to 100: 34
- Match: Nepal vs Mongolia (Asian Games 2023)
Nepal’s batting explosion in the Asian Games created multiple records, and Kushal Malla’s 34-ball century became a landmark in the fastest century in T20 timeline.
Full List: Fastest Century in T20 (Top 10 Combined)
Here is a combined leaderboard for T20 Internationals, IPL, and major domestic T20 competitions. This list is designed to cover long-tail searches around fastest century in T20 and help you compare the quickest hundreds in one place.
| Rank | Player | Team / Competition | Balls Faced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sahil Chauhan | Estonia (T20I) | 27 |
| 2 | Chris Gayle | RCB (IPL) | 30 |
| 3 | Rishabh Pant | Delhi (Domestic) | 32 |
| 4 | Wihan Lubbe | North West (Domestic) | 33 |
| 5 | J. Loftie-Eaton | Namibia (T20I) | 33 |
| 6 | Kushal Malla | Nepal (T20I) | 34 |
| 7 | David Miller | South Africa (T20I) | 35 |
| 8 | Rohit Sharma | India (T20I) | 35 |
| 9 | Yusuf Pathan | Rajasthan Royals (IPL) | 37 |
| 10 | Travis Head | SRH (IPL) | 39 |
For verification, you can cross-check record data from trusted score databases like ESPNcricinfo T20I Records.
How the “Fastest Century in T20” Record Is Measured
The fastest century in T20 is measured by balls faced to reach 100 runs. Not time taken, not strike rate alone. When comparing records, always look for:
- Balls faced to 100 (main measure)
- Format type (T20I vs IPL vs domestic)
- Quality of bowling (international vs local)
- Conditions (pitch, boundaries, altitude)
Can a 25-Ball Century Happen in T20?
Yes—mathematically it’s possible. A batter would need near-perfect boundary conversion (for example: 12–14 sixes plus a few fours). With modern bats, Impact Player rules in leagues, and flatter pitches, the next evolution of the fastest century in T20 record could be a 25-ball milestone—but it will still require a rare once-in-a-decade innings.
The Future Stars: Who Can Break the Record?
The next record breaker will likely be someone who attacks from ball one and can clear boundaries at will. Keep an eye on young talents as they develop into elite power hitters.
If you follow upcoming players, you can also read our list here: Top 10 Young Cricketers in India.
Related CricSensei Records
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who has the fastest century in IPL?
Chris Gayle holds the IPL record with a 30-ball century against Pune Warriors India in 2013.
Who has the fastest century in T20 International (T20I)?
Sahil Chauhan holds the T20I record with a 27-ball century scored for Estonia against Cyprus in 2024.
What is the fastest century in T20 by an Indian player?
Rishabh Pant’s 32-ball hundred in Indian domestic T20 cricket is widely cited as one of the fastest by an Indian batter in the format.
How is the fastest century in T20 measured?
It is measured by balls faced to reach 100 runs, verified through match score data and trusted record sources.
Conclusion
The race for the fastest century in T20 is never-ending. From Chris Gayle’s iconic IPL destruction to Sahil Chauhan’s record-breaking Associate blitz, the format keeps evolving. As T20 cricket becomes more aggressive, a 25-ball century may arrive sooner than we think.
Who do you think will break the 27-ball record next? Tell CricSensei in the comments.
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