Cricket has witnessed many breathtaking moments, but scoring a century in the shortest number of balls is one of the most thrilling achievements in the game. Reaching a hundred runs quickly requires not only talent but also incredible power, timing, and fearlessness. Many great cricketers have achieved this, but a few stand above the rest because of how quickly they reached the milestone. In this article, we will explore the Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket history.
List of 5 Most Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket History
1. AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers, the legendary South African batsman, holds the record for the Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket. On January 18, 2015, while playing against the West Indies at Johannesburg, he reached his century in just 31 balls. This outstanding performance is widely regarded as one of the greatest batting displays in cricket history.
From the very first ball, AB de Villiers dominated the bowlers with unbelievable shots all over the ground. He showed complete control and power, smashing the ball with ease whether it was short, full, or outside off stump. His ability to find boundaries consistently made the West Indies bowlers helpless. What made his innings even more remarkable was how he mixed power with creativity, playing reverse sweeps, switch hits, and unorthodox strokes that left the opposition stunned. In total, he scored 149 runs from only 44 balls, which included 16 sixes and 9 fours. Thanks to his performance, South Africa easily won the match Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Opponent | West Indies |
| Year | 2015 |
| Venue | Johannesburg |
| Balls to Century | 31 |
| Total Score | 149 runs (44 balls) |
| Sixes | 16 |
| Fours | 9 |
| Result | South Africa won |
2. Corey Anderson
Corey Anderson, a powerful left-handed batsman from New Zealand, surprised the cricket world on January 1, 2014, when he scored an explosive century in just 36 balls against West Indies at Queenstown. Before AB de Villiers broke the record, Anderson held the title for the fastest ODI century for a short time Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket.
In this innings, Anderson displayed brutal power-hitting. The West Indies bowlers had no answer to his aggressive style. His timing and strength were simply outstanding as he sent the ball flying over the boundary repeatedly. Anderson remained unbeaten on 131 runs from 47 balls, hitting 14 sixes and 6 fours. His knock helped New Zealand post a massive total, and the team eventually secured a comfortable victory Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Opponent | West Indies |
| Year | 2014 |
| Venue | Queenstown |
| Balls to Century | 36 |
| Total Score | 131* runs (47 balls) |
| Sixes | 14 |
| Fours | 6 |
| Result | New Zealand won |
3. Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi, affectionately known as “Boom Boom Afridi,” became an instant sensation when he scored a century in just 37 balls against Sri Lanka in 1996. At only 16 years old, Afridi’s fearless and aggressive batting captured the hearts of cricket fans around the world Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket.
During this innings, Afridi fearlessly attacked the bowlers from the start. His powerful hitting and natural ability to clear the boundary made his innings unforgettable. In just 40 balls, Afridi scored 102 runs, smashing 11 sixes and 6 fours. This record stood as the fastest ODI century for over 17 years, making Afridi one of the most iconic figures in cricket history. His aggressive style influenced a whole generation of attacking batsmen Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | Pakistan |
| Opponent | Sri Lanka |
| Year | 1996 |
| Venue | Nairobi |
| Balls to Century | 37 |
| Total Score | 102 runs (40 balls) |
| Sixes | 11 |
| Fours | 6 |
| Result | Pakistan won |
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4. Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell, known for his inventive and aggressive batting, smashed a century off only 40 balls against the Netherlands during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in Delhi. Maxwell is famous for his ability to play shots that very few players can execute, combining quick thinking with fearless stroke play Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket.
In this innings, Maxwell punished the Dutch bowlers by scoring 106 runs off 44 balls, hitting 8 sixes and 9 fours. His extraordinary batting helped Australia post a massive score, leading them to a dominant win. Maxwell’s ability to innovate under pressure makes him one of the most dangerous limited overs batsmen in modern cricket Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Opponent | Netherlands |
| Year | 2023 |
| Venue | Delhi |
| Balls to Century | 40 |
| Total Score | 106 runs (44 balls) |
| Sixes | 8 |
| Fours | 9 |
| Result | Australia won |
5. Mark Boucher
Mark Boucher, mainly known for his exceptional wicketkeeping, surprised everyone when he scored a blazing century in just 44 balls against Zimbabwe in 2006 at Potchefstroom. Known more for his steady batting and sharp gloves, Boucher showed his ability to shift gears and attack when needed Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket.
In this match, Boucher hammered 147 runs not out from 68 balls, hitting 10 sixes and 8 fours. His aggressive batting helped South Africa score a massive total, ensuring a big win. Although not a regular big hitter like others on this list, Boucher proved that he could play destructive innings when the opportunity arose Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Opponent | Zimbabwe |
| Year | 2006 |
| Venue | Potchefstroom |
| Balls to Century | 44 |
| Total Score | 147* runs (68 balls) |
| Sixes | 10 |
| Fours | 8 |
| Result | South Africa won |