Whenever we imagine cricket, the first thing that comes to mind is a man holding a bat and waiting for the ball to hit it. Where the batsmen's power lies in the type of bowling he is facing, there are still people who have overcome these boundaries and have set history by acquiring centuries. Especially in the One Day International, many individuals have acquired centuries within the least number of balls. Do you want to know who? In this blog, I have shared the list of the players who have secured the fastest century in ODI. Read the blog to know more.
What Do You Understand By the Term ODI?
One Day International is one of the three formats of cricket, played between two teams with eleven players in each team. The innings are played between the players for a maximum of 50 overs or until either of the teams gets out. The ODIs started around the 1960s-1970s but came into a form in the 1980s. The main techniques applied to this match are speed and other skills to bring life into the game. It is sometimes called a limited-overs match as it is limited to 50 overs.
History and Origin
The ODIs are a blessing in cricket history. However, the first one-day international was played on January 5, 1971, between Australia and England at one of the most well-recognised cricket stadiums in the world, Melbourne Cricket Ground. The theme colours of the ODIs are red and white, and they are played with red balls and white kits.
When the first three days of the first cricket were washed out, the officials decided to abandon the match and instead play a one-off one-day game consisting of 40 eight-ball overs per side, after which Australia won the game by five wickets.
Fastest Century in ODI Cricket
Here is the list of the fastest ODIs in cricket history, which has increased the fame of cricket globally.
AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers is one of the most recognised names in cricket history and has hit the fastest century till now. The event occurred on January 18, 2015, when a jaw-dropping spectacle was conducted against West Indies and Johannesburg, with just 31 balls at a strike rate of 322.58. His final score was embellished with 149, with 16 sixes and 9 fours.
Corey Anderson
Before AB de Villiers, Corey Anderson carried this record of the fastest century in the ODI until 2014. This milestone was achieved in just 36 balls, where he broke the record of Shahid Afridi'. His final score stood up at 131 with 14 sixes and 6 fours. The strike rate was at 277.78.
Shahid Afridi
The next on our list for the fastest century in the ODI is Shahid Afridi, with 37 balls at a strike rate of 270.27. The game took place against Sri Lanka in Nairobi. The final score of 102 was a spectacle that forced 11 sixes and 6 fours.
Glen Maxwell
Glen Maxwell was one of the most expensive players in 2013 in the IPL and scored the fastest century in the ODI with 40 balls at a strike rate of 250.00. On October 25, 2023, in a thrilling match against Netherlands in New Delhi, Glen Maxwell accomplished this honour with 106 runs overall, which included 9 boundaries and 8 sixes.
Asif Khan
On March 16, 2023, in a thrilling match against Nepal, Asif Khan scored the fastest century in the ODI, at 41 balls at a strike rate of 243.90, which left the spectators in awe. His score includes 101, which involved 11 sixes and four fours.
Mark Boucher
The next one on our list for the fastest century in ODI is Mark Boucher, who gained a century with just 44 balls at a strike rate of 227.27. In a game against Zimbabwe in Potchefstroom, MV Boucher achieved a phenomenal century in just 44 balls held on September 20, 2006. He hit the highest score of 147 with 10 sixes and 8 fours.
Brian Lara
Brian Lara, a West Indies Player, scored a century with 45 balls at a strike rate of 222.22. The game was held on October 9, 1999, against Bangladesh in Dhaka. His score was impressive with 117, including four sixes and 18 fours. He created history with a fantastic hit within just 147 balls.
Virat Kohli
In India, Virat Kohli stands at the top of the list for batting. His name is also on the Orange Cap winners list for 2016 and 2014. In 2013, a match was held in Jaipur against Australia, and King Kohli made the fastest century in an ODI.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fastest Century in ODI
Who Has Made the Fastest Century in the ODI Till Now?
AB de Villiers set the record for the fastest century in the ODI with just 31 balls.
Which Indian Player Made the Fastest Century in ODI?
Virat Kohli is an Indian Player who made the fastest century in an ODI match. He achieved this milestone against Australia on October 16, 2013 in Jaipur. Kohli's century came off just within 52 balls, scoring 7 sixes and 8 fours.
Who Made a Century in Just 27 Balls?
Sahil Chauhan, the Estonia batter, smashed off a century for just 27 balls in the T20. It is the fastest record till now in the T20. He broke Chris Gayle's record 30-ball bash in IPL 2013.
As cricket continues to evolve, records like this also keep changing, and players are still emerging to break one's record and create a new one. However, the fun of ODI cricket keeps evolving, making it a beloved format for sports lovers everywhere.
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