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The T20 World Cup is a whirlwind of power hitting and audacious batting displays. But some innings stand out from the rest, where batsmen transcend the format’s limitations and carve their names into history with blazing centuries. Let’s take a look at the top 5 fastest hundreds ever scored in this electrifying tournament, where boundaries fall like rain and sixes soar into the night sky!
1.Chris Gayle, 47 balls (West Indies vs England,2016)
The 2016 T20 World Cup witnessed an unforgettable display of power hitting by Chris Gayle. Facing England in a high-pressure group stage match on March 16th, Gayle went on a rampage. Set a target of 183 by England, the West Indies needed a quick start, and Gayle delivered in spectacular fashion. He tore into the English bowling attack, reaching his century in a mere 47 balls – the fastest ever in a T20 World Cup match. His innings was a brutal assault, containing 11 sixes and 5 fours, leaving the English bowlers with no answers. Gayle’s dominance ensured a comfortable six-wicket victory for the West Indies, etching his name forever in the history books of the tournament.
2.Chris Gayle, 50 balls (West Indies vs South Africa, 2007)
The 2007 T20 World Cup kicked off with a bang, and at the heart of the explosion was Chris Gayle. Facing the host nation South Africa in Johannesburg, the West Indian batsman went on a rampage. The South African bowlers simply had no answer to his ferocious hitting. Gayle tore into the bowling attack, bringing up his century in a mere 50 balls – a record that stood for almost nine years! His innings ended at a staggering 117 runs from just 57 deliveries, laced with 7 boundaries and a whopping 10 sixes. Despite Gayle’s brilliance, the Windies fell short in a thrilling encounter, with Herschelle Gibbs’ almost equally impressive 90* for South Africa handing them a narrow victory. Though his team ended on the losing side, Chris Gayle’s innings etched itself into T20 World Cup history as one of the most destructive displays of power hitting ever witnessed.
- Riley Rossouw, 52 balls (Bangladesh vs South Africa, 2022)
In a remarkable display of power hitting, Rilee Rossouw etched his name into the history books during the T20 World Cup match against Bangladesh in October 2022. The South African opener, returning from international exile, defied expectations with a blistering knock. Rossouw reached his century in just 52 balls, the fourth-fastest century ever scored in a T20 World Cup. His innings was a masterclass in clean hitting, peppered with seven boundaries and a staggering eight sixes. This knock not only powered South Africa to a mammoth 205 runs, but it also made him the first South African batsman to score a century at the T20 World Cup. Rossouw’s knock was a turning point in the tournament for the Proteas, showcasing their explosive potential and setting the tone for an aggressive brand of cricket.
- Brendon McCullum, 58 balls (Bangladesh vs NZ, 2012)
In the 2012 T20 World Cup, New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum carved his name into cricket history. Facing Bangladesh on September 21st at Pallekele, McCullum unleashed an absolute masterclass. The Kiwi opener went on a rampage, smashing a blistering 123 runs off just 58 balls. His innings was an assault on Bangladeshi bowling, containing a staggering 11 fours and 7 sixes. It wasn’t just the final score that was impressive, but the speed at which he reached his milestones. McCullum’s hundred came in a mere 51 balls, making it the third-fastest century in T20 World Cup history at the time. His knock completely overshadowed the rest of the match. New Zealand, propelled by McCullum’s brilliance, posted a massive 191 runs on the board. Bangladesh, despite a valiant effort from Nasir Hossain (37), could only manage 132, falling short by a massive 59 runs. This match will forever be remembered for McCullum’s record-breaking innings, a display of pure power hitting that left everyone awestruck.
- Suresh Raina, 60 balls (India vs South Africa, 2010)
The year was 2010, and the cricketing world was buzzing with the excitement of the T20 World Cup. In a high-voltage clash against South Africa during the group stage, a young Suresh Raina etched his name in history. Raina, known for his aggressive left-handed batting, went on a rampage, scoring a scintillating century at a blistering pace. His knock of 101 runs came off just 60 balls, which was, at that time, the fastest century ever scored in a T20 World Cup match. Raina’s innings was a masterclass in clean hitting, peppered with boundaries and sixes, leaving the South African bowlers helpless. His knock propelled India to a massive total, laying the foundation for a convincing victory and putting the team firmly on the path to further glory in the tournament.
These phenomenal knocks showcase the raw power and talent that grace the T20 World Cup stage. Each century tells a story of exceptional batting, leaving fans breathless and bowlers bewildered. As the T20 format continues to evolve, will these records be shattered, or will they stand the test of time as testaments to pure batting brilliance?
