Top 10 Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket History

Cricket fans around the world love watching explosive batting performances that can change the game in minutes.

When a batsman reaches 100 runs in record time, it creates pure magic on the field. The fastest century in ODI cricket represents the perfect blend of skill, power, and timing that leaves spectators amazed.

In One Day International cricket, scoring a century is already a big achievement. But doing it in lightning-fast time takes extraordinary talent.

These quick centuries showcase how modern cricket has evolved, with batsmen becoming more aggressive and innovative in their approach.

The records we’ll explore today feature some of the greatest cricketers who’ve entertained millions with their breathtaking performances.

From AB de Villiers’ incredible 31-ball century to other remarkable innings, each record tells a unique story of determination and skill.

These performances don’t just break records – they create unforgettable moments that cricket fans talk about for years.

Top 10 Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket History

Whether you’re a cricket enthusiast or just curious about sporting achievements, these fastest centuries will surely inspire and amaze you.

Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket History

The fastest century in ODI cricket is one of the most exciting records in the sport. It shows how powerful and skilled a batsman can be when everything clicks perfectly. These centuries are measured by the number of balls faced, not the time taken.

Here’s what makes a fast century special:

• Aggressive batting approach
• Perfect timing of shots
• Favorable match conditions
• Exceptional hand-eye coordination
• Mental strength under pressure

Let’s look at the complete list of the top 10 fastest centuries in ODI cricket history. Ground Update team helped us create this list with the updated information:

Player	Match	Runs	Balls	6s	4s	Date
AB de Villiers	South Africa v West Indies	149	31	16	9	18/01/2015
Corey Anderson	New Zealand v West Indies	131*	36	14	6	01/01/2014
Shahid Afridi	Pakistan v Sri Lanka	102	37	11	6	04/10/1996
Asif Khan	UAE v Nepal	101*	41	11	4	16/03/2023
Mark Boucher	South Africa v Zimbabwe	147*	44	10	8	20/09/2006
Brian Lara	West Indies v Bangladesh	117	45	4	18	09/10/1999
Shahid Afridi	Pakistan v India	102	45	9	10	15/04/2005
Jesse Ryder	New Zealand v West Indies	104	46	5	12	01/01/2014
Jos Buttler	England v Pakistan	116*	46	8	10	20/11/2015
Jos Buttler	England v Netherlands	162*	47	14	7	17/06/2022

The star () indicates the player was not out in the innings.*

AB de Villiers – 31 Balls Century

AB de Villiers holds the world record for the fastest century in ODI cricket. The South African legend achieved this incredible feat in just 31 balls against the West Indies on January 18, 2015.

Here’s what made this innings truly special:

• 16 sixes and 9 fours in 31 balls
• Scored 149 runs in just 44 balls total
• Helped South Africa post 439/2 in 50 overs
• Won the match by 148 runs

Key highlights of this record-breaking innings:

• The match was played in Johannesburg
• Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw also scored centuries
• This was the second match of the tournament
• No one has broken this record since 2015

The impact of this innings was massive. It showed that AB de Villiers was not just a good batsman but a game-changer who could destroy any bowling attack in the world.

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Corey Anderson – 36 Balls Century

Corey Anderson from New Zealand scored the second-fastest century in ODI cricket. His 36-ball century came against the West Indies on January 1, 2014, in Queenstown.

Match details:

• Rain-affected match with 21 overs per side
• New Zealand scored 283/4 in 21 overs
• Anderson remained unbeaten on 131 in 47 balls
• New Zealand won by 159 runs

What made this innings special?

• 14 sixes and 6 fours in 36 balls
• Perfect start to the new year
• Jesse Ryder also scored a century in the same match
• Showed incredible power hitting under pressure

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Shahid Afridi – 37 Balls Century

Shahid Afridi was just 16 years old when he scored his 37-ball century against Sri Lanka on October 4, 1996. This was his second international match and first batting opportunity.

Amazing facts about this innings:

• Youngest player to score a fast century
• 11 sixes and 6 fours in 37 balls
• Final score of 102 runs in 40 balls
• Pakistan scored 371/9 and won by 82 runs

Why this century is historic:

• Announced his arrival on the international scene
• Revolutionary batting for that era
• Inspired a generation of aggressive batsmen
• Still remembered as one of the greatest debut performances

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Asif Khan – 42 Balls Century

Asif Khan from the UAE is the newest member of this exclusive club. He scored his 42-ball century against Nepal on March 16, 2023.

Match summary:

• Scored 101 runs in 42 balls
• 11 sixes and 4 fours
• UAE posted 310/6 in 50 overs
• Rain interrupted the match

Significance of this innings:

• First UAE player on this list
• Shows growing cricket talent in associate nations
• Exciting new face in world cricket
• Inspired young cricketers in the UAE

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Mark Boucher – 44 Balls Century

Mark Boucher, the South African wicket-keeper, scored his 44-ball century against Zimbabwe on September 20, 2006.

Performance highlights:

• Final score: 147 runs in 68 balls
• 10 sixes and 8 fours in 44 balls
• South Africa scored 418/5
• Won the match by 171 runs

What made this special:

• Wicket-keeper showing batting skills
• Perfect finishing of the innings
• Massive team total thanks to his contribution
• Dominated the Zimbabwe bowling attack

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Brian Lara – 45 Balls Century

Brian Lara, the West Indies legend, scored his 45-ball century against Bangladesh on October 9, 1999.

Innings breakdown:

• 117 runs in 45 balls
• 18 fours and 4 sixes
• Also took 2 wickets with the ball
• West Indies scored 314 runs and won by 109 runs

Why this innings stands out:

• All-round performance with bat and ball
• Master of stroke play, showing power hitting
• Dominated with boundaries rather than sixes
• Complete cricketer at his best

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Shahid Afridi – 45 Balls Century

Shahid Afridi appears twice on this list. His second entry came against arch-rivals India on April 15, 2005.

Match details:

• 102 runs in 45 balls
• 9 sixes and 10 fours
• Pakistan chased 250 runs successfully
• Won the match by 5 wickets

Key points:

• Consistent performer in fast centuries
• 9 years gap between his two fast centuries
• Rivalry match against India
• Match-winning performance under pressure

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Jesse Ryder – 46 Balls Century

Jesse Ryder from New Zealand scored his 46-ball century on the same day as Corey Anderson – January 1, 2014.

Innings summary:

• 104 runs in 46 balls
• 5 sixes and 12 fours
• Partnership with Anderson was crucial
• New Zealand posted 283/4 in 21 overs

What made this special:

• Two centuries in the same match
• Opening batsman setting the tone
• Excellent partnership with Anderson
• Team effort leading to victory

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Jos Buttler – 46 Balls Century

Jos Buttler has two entries on this list. His first 46-ball century came against Pakistan on November 20, 2015.

Performance details:

• 116 runs in 52 balls total
• 8 sixes and 10 fours in 46 balls
• England scored 355/5 in 50 overs
• Won the match as Pakistan scored 271

Significance:

• Modern-day great is showing his skills
• Excellent power hitting against quality bowling
• Key contribution to England’s big total
• Wicket-keeper with exceptional batting ability

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Jos Buttler – 47 Balls Century

Jos Buttler’s second entry came against the Netherlands on June 17, 2022.

Record-breaking performance:

• 162 runs in 70 balls (century in 47 balls)
• 14 sixes and 7 fours
• England scored 498 runs (highest ODI score)
• Three centuries in the same innings

Historic achievement:

• Highest ODI team score in cricket history
• Unbeaten knock of exceptional quality
• Perfect example of modern aggressive cricket
• Entertained fans with spectacular hitting

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Fastest ODI Century for India

Virat Kohli holds the record for the fastest ODI century by an Indian. He achieved this feat in 52 balls against Australia in 2013.

Match situation:

• Australia scored 359/5 in 50 overs
• India needed big partnerships to chase
• Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan started well
• Kohli finished the chase perfectly

Innings highlights:

• 100 runs in 52 balls
• 8 fours and 7 sixes
• India won in 44 overs
• Match-winning performance under pressure

Why this is special:

• Chasing a big total successfully
• Pressure situation handled perfectly
• Consistent performer for India
• Leading from the front as a captain

Concluding Remarks

The fastest centuries in ODI cricket represent the best of aggressive batting. These performances require exceptional skill, perfect timing, and mental strength. Each player on this list has entertained millions of cricket fans worldwide.

Key takeaways:

• AB de Villiers still holds the record at 31 balls
• South Africa has the most players on this list
• Modern cricket is becoming more aggressive
• Associate nations are also producing talent
• Power hitting is now a crucial skill

These record-breaking innings inspire young cricketers everywhere to dream big and play with freedom. They show that cricket is an entertainment sport that can provide thrilling moments for fans.

FAQs:

• Who holds the record for the fastest century in ODI cricket?

AB de Villiers from South Africa holds the record with a 31-ball century against the West Indies in 2015.

• How many players have scored centuries under 50 balls in ODIs?

Nine players have scored centuries in under 50 balls in ODI cricket history.

• Which country has the most fast centuries?

South Africa has the most players on this list with AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher.

• Who is the youngest player to score a fast century?

Shahid Afridi was just 16 years old when he scored his 37-ball century in 1996.

• What is the fastest century by an Indian player?

Virat Kohli scored the fastest century for India in 52 balls against Australia in 2013.

Final Thoughts:

The fastest centuries in ODI cricket will always be special moments in cricket history.

These incredible performances show what’s possible when talent meets opportunity.

As cricket continues to evolve, we might see even faster centuries in the future.

These legendary innings remind us why cricket is called the gentleman’s game – it rewards skill, determination, and entertainment.

Whether you’re a cricket fan or just love sporting achievements, these fastest centuries will always inspire and amaze you.