Scoring runs is a crucial aspect of cricket, and it has produced some of the sport's most iconic moments, where extraordinary players achieved remarkable feats. One such feat is scoring centuries in cricket. Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most centuries in international cricket with 100, but the record for the fastest century in ODI (One Day International) cricket is a different story. An ODI is a 50-over match per side, lasting up to 9 hours. While centuries are common in this format, achieving one in just a few balls is a testament to a batsman's exceptional skill. Here, we explore the top 10 fastest centuries in ODI cricket history.

Top 10 Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket

1. AB de Villiers

• Balls Required for Century: 31
• National Team: South Africa
• Scored Against: West Indies
• Year: 2015

AB de Villiers holds the record for the fastest century in ODI cricket, achieved in just 31 balls against the West Indies in 2015. He ended the match with 149 runs from 44 balls, including 16 sixes and 9 fours, with an astounding strike rate of 338.6.

2. Corey Anderson

• Balls Required for Century: 36
• National Team: New Zealand
• Scored Against: West Indies
• Year: 2014

Corey Anderson ranks second, having scored a century in 36 balls against the West Indies in 2014. He finished that match with 131 runs from 47 balls, hitting 14 sixes and 6 fours.

3. Shahid Afridi

• Balls Required for Century: 37
• National Team: Pakistan
• Scored Against: Sri Lanka
• Year: 1996

Shahid Afridi is known for his explosive batting, and he scored a century in 37 balls against Sri Lanka in 1996. He concluded the match with 102 runs off 40 balls, including 11 sixes and 6 fours.

4. Mark Boucher

• Balls Required for Century: 44
• National Team: South Africa
• Scored Against: Zimbabwe
• Year: 2006

Mark Boucher scored a century in 44 balls against Zimbabwe in 2006, finishing the match with 147 runs from 68 balls, hitting 10 sixes and 8 fours.

5. Brian Lara

• Balls Required for Century: 45
• National Team: West Indies
• Scored Against: Bangladesh
• Year: 1999

Brian Lara, one of cricket's legends, scored a century in 45 balls against Bangladesh in 1999. He ended the innings with 117 runs from 62 balls, including 4 sixes and 18 fours.

6. Shahid Afridi

• Balls Required for Century: 45
• National Team: Pakistan
• Scored Against: India
• Year: 2005

Shahid Afridi appears again on the list, having scored a century in 45 balls against India in 2005. He finished with 102 runs from 46 balls, including 10 sixes and 9 fours.

7. Jesse Ryder

• Balls Required for Century: 46
• National Team: New Zealand
• Scored Against: West Indies
• Year: 2014

Jesse Ryder scored a century in 46 balls against the West Indies in 2014. He ended his innings with 104 runs from 51 balls, hitting 5 sixes and 12 fours.

8. Jos Buttler

• Balls Required for Century: 46
• National Team: England
• Scored Against: Pakistan
• Year: 2015

Jos Buttler scored a century in 46 balls against Pakistan in 2015. He concluded the match with 116 runs from 52 balls, including 8 sixes and 10 fours.

9. Sanath Jayasuriya

• Balls Required for Century: 48
• National Team: Sri Lanka
• Scored Against: Pakistan
• Year: 1996

Sanath Jayasuriya scored a century in 48 balls against Pakistan in 1996. He finished with 134 runs from 65 balls, hitting 11 sixes and 11 fours.

10. Jos Buttler

• Balls Required for Century: 50
• National Team: England
• Scored Against: Pakistan
• Year: 2019

Jos Buttler makes another appearance on the list with a century in 50 balls against Pakistan in 2019. He ended the match with 110 runs from 55 balls, including 6 sixes and 9 fours.

Notable Mentions and Facts

• Fastest ODI Century for India: Virat Kohli scored a century in 52 balls against Australia in 2013.
• Babar Azam (Pakistan): Fastest to 13, 14, and 15 ODI centuries, achieving 15 centuries in just 86 innings.
• Quinton de Kock (South Africa): Fastest to 10 centuries in ODI history.