The Indian Premier League has given cricket fans some of the most destructive batting displays in T20 history. From iconic six-hitting machines to fearless young talents, the league has witnessed unforgettable knocks that pushed the limits of how quickly a batter can reach a hundred. The phrase “Fastest Centuries in IPL” has now become a benchmark for explosiveness, aggression, and match-winning brilliance.
Here Are The Top 10 Legendary Players with the Fastest Centuries in IPL
10. Adam Gilchrist – 42 Balls
Adam Gilchrist was already a legend when he entered the IPL, but his blistering century for Deccan Chargers against Mumbai Indians proved why he was one of the greatest limited-overs hitters ever. Gilchrist, known for his fearless approach, dismantled the Mumbai bowling attack with a stunning range of strokes. What made this knock special was his ability to dominate from ball one, showing pure natural hitting ability without relying on slogging.
His innings became one of the earliest benchmarks for the Fastest Centuries in IPL, and even after years of new power-hitters emerging, Gilchrist’s effort remains one of the cleanest and most elegant showcases of attacking batting. With effortless sixes over mid-wicket, straight lofted shots, and aggressive pulls, Gilchrist redefined how opening batsmen approached T20 cricket.
His 42-ball century continues to inspire modern-day openers and stands tall in the list of Fastest Centuries in IPL, reflecting his legacy as a trailblazer in white-ball cricket.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Balls to Century | 42 |
| Match | Deccan Chargers vs Mumbai Indians |
| Venue | Mumbai |
| Date | 27 April 2008 |
9. William Jacks – 41 Balls
William Jacks is one of the most exciting modern-day T20 talents, and his 41-ball century for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Gujarat Titans showcased his explosive capabilities. Jacks combined raw power with innovative stroke play, constantly keeping the bowlers under pressure. His aggressive middle-overs acceleration and strong hitting against both pace and spin helped RCB dominate the game from the start.
This innings proved that the Fastest Centuries in IPL list is no longer limited to legends of the past but continues to evolve with new-generation stars like Jacks. His fearless approach, especially while hitting straight and through extra cover, reflected the new age of T20 batting. Fans praised how calmly he built the innings before unleashing absolute carnage in the final overs, smashing boundaries at will.
Jacks’ performance is a clear signal that cricket’s future is bright, and his inclusion in the list of Fastest Centuries in IPL is well deserved.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Balls to Century | 41 |
| Match | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Titans |
| Venue | Ahmedabad |
| Date | 28 April 2024 |
8. Abhishek Sharma – 40 Balls
Abhishek Sharma’s 40-ball century for Sunrisers Hyderabad established him as one of the most fearless young openers in the league. His power-hitting ability, especially against pace bowlers, is unmatched for his age, and his ability to consistently strike at high rates makes him a rising superstar. Abhishek’s knock was full of powerful pulls, lofted shots over long-off, and clean strikes down the ground.
His century added new excitement to the competition for the Fastest Centuries in IPL, proving that Indian youngsters are matching international hitters in consistency and firepower. Abhishek’s batting confidence, footwork, and timing reflected a long-term potential to become one of the best aggressive openers in Indian cricket. He handled pressure like a veteran and played the role of an anchor-finisher combined.
His 40-ball century remains one of the most memorable innings of the season, and his name now proudly appears among the Fastest Centuries in IPL.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Balls to Century | 40 |
| Match | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings |
| Venue | Hyderabad |
| Date | 12 April 2025 |
7. Priyansh Arya – 39 Balls
Priyansh Arya shocked the cricketing world with a stunning 39-ball century for Punjab Kings against Chennai Super Kings. Known as an emerging batting prodigy, Arya mixed composure with fearless hitting, sending a loud message that he is the next big thing in Indian cricket. His boundary-hitting frequency was extraordinary, and he showed exceptional maturity in rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries.
This innings placed him firmly in the race for the Fastest Centuries in IPL, earning appreciation from fans, veterans, and analysts alike. Arya’s shot selection was impressive—he picked lengths early, used pace effectively, and even smothered the spinners with confident sweeps and lofts. Despite being new to the IPL stage, he dominated bowlers like a seasoned campaigner.
His presence in the list of Fastest Centuries in IPL symbolizes the rise of new-age Indian match-winners.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Balls to Century | 39 |
| Match | Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings |
| Venue | Mullanpur |
| Date | 8 April 2025 |
6. Travis Head – 39 Balls
Travis Head’s 39-ball century for Sunrisers Hyderabad was a display of brutal force, unmatched aggression, and complete dominance. Head is known for starting fearlessly from the first ball, and this innings proved why he is considered one of the most destructive left-handers in modern cricket.
His knock featured monstrous sixes, especially over mid-wicket and long-on, and his ability to convert good-length balls into scoring opportunities was top-class. Head’s performance significantly contributed to his reputation and added another iconic entry into the Fastest Centuries in IPL highlights. His partnership with Abhishek Sharma further demonstrated SRH’s strength as a high-scoring batting unit.
With this century, Head cemented his place as a modern T20 beast, and the innings remains one of the most powerful in the list of Fastest Centuries in IPL.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Balls to Century | 39 |
| Match | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| Venue | Bengaluru |
| Date | 15 April 2024 |
5. David Miller – 38 Balls
David Miller’s 38-ball hundred is one of the most memorable chasing knocks in IPL history. Known as “Killer Miller,” the South African superstar displayed his trademark calmness before exploding into an unstoppable hitting machine in the final overs. His power-hitting was clean, controlled, and perfectly timed.
Miller’s innings showed why he has always been one of the best finishers in T20 cricket. His acceleration rate in that match was breathtaking, proving again why he belongs among the legends who hold the Fastest Centuries in IPL. His ability to hit sixes under pressure stands unmatched, and this knock remains a classic example of game-changing batting.
He lifted Kings XI Punjab from a tough situation and turned the match around single-handedly. Miller’s century proudly stands tall among the greatest Fastest Centuries in IPL.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Balls to Century | 38 |
| Match | Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| Venue | Mohali |
| Date | 6 May 2013 |
4. Heinrich Klaasen – 37 Balls
Heinrich Klaasen’s brutal 37-ball century for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2025 stunned everyone. Known for his exceptional spin-hitting ability, Klaasen destroyed the bowling attack with phenomenal power and timing. His fearless approach and strike rotation showed his maturity as a world-class T20 batter.
Klaasen’s innings was filled with innovative strokes, helicopter shots, down-the-track lofts, and massive slog sweeps. This knock proved that he is not just a technical player but also one of the most dangerous hitters in the shortest format. His century added another powerful entry into the Fastest Centuries in IPL, putting him among modern T20 giants.
Fans praised his consistency and his ability to hit bowlers of all types with equal authority. Klaasen’s name continues to shine brightly in the list of Fastest Centuries in IPL.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Balls to Century | 37 |
| Match | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders |
| Venue | New Delhi |
| Date | 25 May 2025 |
3. Yusuf Pathan – 37 Balls
Yusuf Pathan’s 37-ball century for Rajasthan Royals remains one of the most iconic knocks in IPL history. Known for his raw strength and ability to clear boundaries with ease, Pathan showcased an unforgettable display of clean hitting. His knock almost single-handedly dragged Rajasthan toward victory and cemented his place as one of India’s earliest T20 superstars.
This innings is often cited when discussing the Fastest Centuries in IPL, as Pathan’s acceleration was unmatched during that era. Every swing of his bat sent the ball deep into the stands, reflecting his natural hitting ability. His aggressive shots, especially over mid-wicket and long-on, became fan favorites.
Even today, Pathan’s knock remains a timeless example of fearless batting, reminding fans why he is still considered one of the most destructive Indian hitters in the Fastest Centuries in IPL list.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Balls to Century | 37 |
| Match | Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians |
| Venue | Mumbai |
| Date | 13 March 2010 |
2. Vaibhav Suryavanshi – 35 Balls
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s extraordinary 35-ball century in IPL 2025 shocked the league. Playing for Rajasthan Royals, the young star unleashed a fearless, aggressive, and stylish innings that sent social media into a frenzy. His perfect balance of classic cricket strokes and modern T20 innovation made his knock stand out.
Suryavanshi’s calculated aggression, especially against fast bowlers, showcased maturity beyond his age. This incredible performance immediately placed him among the Fastest Centuries in IPL, marking him as a future superstar of Indian cricket. With every shot timed to perfection, his innings was pure entertainment for fans.
His fearless mindset and ability to dominate from the start suggest that this is just the beginning of a glorious career in T20 cricket. Suryavanshi’s inclusion in the list of Fastest Centuries in IPL is not just deserved—it is iconic.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Balls to Century | 35 |
| Match | Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans |
| Venue | Rajasthan |
| Date | 28 April 2025 |
1. Chris Gayle – 30 Balls (Fastest Century in IPL History)
Chris Gayle’s legendary 30-ball century is not just the fastest century in IPL history; it is one of the greatest T20 innings ever played. On April 23, 2013, Gayle unleashed a storm in Bangalore that remains unmatched even after more than a decade. His knock was a mix of brutality, entertainment, and sheer dominance.
This is the ultimate example of the Fastest Centuries in IPL, and no one has come close to breaking his record. Gayle smashed boundaries at will, hitting the ball harder and further than anyone had ever seen. Bowlers had no answers to his monstrous power as he dismantled Pune’s attack with ease.
Gayle’s knock rewrote T20 history, set new standards for power-hitting, and created an iconic moment that cricket fans will cherish forever. Even today, “30-ball century” remains a mythical benchmark.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Balls to Century | 30 |
| Match | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Pune Warriors |
| Venue | Bangalore |
| Date | 23 April 2013 |
FAQs
1. Who holds the record for the Fastest Centuries in IPL history?
Chris Gayle holds the record for the Fastest Centuries in IPL, smashing a hundred in just 30 balls against Pune Warriors in 2013. His knock is still considered the most explosive innings in the league’s history.
2. How many players have scored a century in under 40 balls in the IPL?
A total of several players, including Chris Gayle, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yusuf Pathan, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Travis Head, and Priyansh Arya, have scored Fastest Centuries in IPL in under 40 balls. These innings remain some of the most iconic power-hitting displays ever seen.
3. Are the Fastest Centuries in IPL mostly scored by foreign or Indian players?
Both Indian and overseas players appear on the list of Fastest Centuries in IPL. While players like Chris Gayle and Heinrich Klaasen dominate the top spots, Indian stars such as Yusuf Pathan, Abhishek Sharma, and Priyansh Arya have also delivered lightning-fast hundreds.
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