With the rapid change in the overall fitness of players, the game of cricket has undergone huge implementations in which the number of runs increases and the balls played rapidly decreases.
Here are some of the fastest tons scored by these cricketing legends:-
– by Shraddha Kejriwal
- AB DE VILLERS
The South African legend holds the record for scoring the fastest century in the history of ODI cricket. The match took place against West Indies at Johannesburg where AB De Villers registered a century in just 31 balls breaking Corey Anderson’s record.
Ab De Villers scored 149 runs in just 44 balls in that match including 16 sixes and 9 fours with a whopping strike rate of 338.63. He also equaled the record of most sixes in an ODI match.
- CHRIS GAYLE
Chris Gayle holds the record for scoring the fastest ever IPL ton. Gayle smashed a 30 ball century against Pune Warriors in the sixth edition of IPL.
Chris Gayle was absolutely fearless and aggressive with his beast mode on where he smashed 175 runs in just 66 balls. This was the highest ever run an individual has scored in a T20 game.
His innings included 17 sixes and 13 fours with a strike rate of 265.15. Royal Challengers Bangalore won that match by 130 runs.
- COREY ANDERSON
It was back in 2014 at Queenstown where the Windies were again at the receiving end of the fastest ton. Corey Anderson broke Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi’s record which was held for more than 17 years.
Corey Anderson’s century not only made him the break Afridi’s record but also helped New Zealand to win that match against West Indies by 160 runs in the rain-shortened match at Queenstown. Anderson finished the innings with 131 off 47 balls with 6 fours and 14 sixes at a strike rate of 278.72.
- SHAHID AFRIDI
Back in October 1996, 16-year-old Shahid Afridi stunned the entire nation by scoring a century in just 37 balls against Sri Lanka. The 16-year-old Pathan made his debut in Pakistan as a leg-spinner in 1996.
However, in his second match, he was promoted up the order and he totally did justice to his team’s decision of promoting him in their much-needed situation.
Shahid Afridi’s innings comprised of 11 sixes and 6 fours against the likes of Vass, Sanath Jayasuriya, and other Sri Lankan stalwarts. It took 18 years for any batsman to break his record.
- MARK BOUCHER
Mark Boucher was one of the greatest wicket keepers of his time and was very unlikely to bat at number 3. However, fighting all odds Mark Boucher smashed a century in just 44 balls against Zimbabwe coming in at number 4.
Mark played a knock of 147 runs off just 68 balls which included 10 sixes and 8 fours. South Africa scored 418 runs in that match which helped them to beat Zimbabwe by 171 runs.
- BRIAN LARA
Brian Lara is a cricketing legend who has the ability to destroy the bowling attack of the opposition with his perfectly timed shots and technique.
In 1999 against Bangladesh, Brian Lara scored a brilliant 117 runs in just 62 balls where in just 45 deliveries he managed to get a ton. Brian Lara’s innings included 18 fours and4 sixes with a strike rate of 188.70. West Indies won that match comfortably against Bangladesh by109 runs.
- SHAHID AFRIDI
When in form, Shahid Afridi has the ability to turn bowlers in spectators. Once again, the Pakistani legend made it to the fastest ton scored by a cricketer by his destructive batting performance against the arch-rivals India.
It was in 2005 at Kanpur where India struggled hard to put on a competitive total of 249 on board with Rahul Dravid saving the fate of India with his 86 run stand.
Shahid Afridi was completely unleashed against India and scored a century in just 45 balls scoring his 2nd fastest hundred. Afridi took off Zaheer, Balaji, and Kumble to win the match for Pakistan with 47 balls remaining. From there on Shahid Afridi earned the title of “Boom Boom”.
– by Shraddha Kejriwal