The cricketer's impression always presents an elegant figure waiting for the bowler with a bat in hand. The batter's credibility, however, depends significantly on the kind of bowling one is receiving. Some players have gone through this, achieving a century against all odds. Particularly in ODIs, many cricketers will forever be inscribed in the books of history for having scored a century in the fewest number of balls. Do you want to know who these record-holders are?

What Is One Day International (ODI) Cricket?

This form obtains one of the three major forms of cricket, which is played between two teams made of eleven players each. Each team has to play a maximum of 50 overs or until all the wickets fall for a maximum of 10 wickets. The format which had originated in the 1960s and 1970s has become a structured format in the 1980s emphasized on speed and skill. This is commonly referred to as limited over format for the reason that the dismissal is limited.

Origin and Evolution of ODIs

The first-ever ODI match was played on January 5, 1971, a contest played between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The first ODIs were ones in which each side batted for 40 eight-ball overs. That format came into its own when the first three days of a Test match were washed out, and an experimental one-day contest was put in place. Australia won that match by five wickets. The downfall of ODIs thus followed as an irreversible part of international cricket played with red balls and white kits until it developed into colored clothing and white balls.

Here is a list of Top 8 Fastest Centuries in ODI History:

1. AB de Villiers – 31 Balls (2015)

AB de Villiers, one of the most dominant batters in cricket history, holds the record for the fastest century in ODIs. On January 18, 2015, he reached his hundred in just 31 balls against the West Indies in Johannesburg. His innings, with a phenomenal strike rate of 322.58, included 149 runs, featuring 16 sixes and 9 fours.

2. Corey Anderson – 36 Balls (2014)

Before de Villiers broke the record, Corey Anderson held the title for the fastest ODI century. On January 1, 2014, he reached a century in 36 balls against West Indies. Anderson’s innings ended at 131 runs, comprising 14 sixes and 6 fours, with an incredible strike rate of 277.78.

3. Shahid Afridi – 37 Balls (1996)

Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi set the record for the fastest ODI century in 1996, which remained unbeaten for nearly two decades. Playing against Sri Lanka in Nairobi, Afridi blasted a hundred in just 37 balls, maintaining a strike rate of 270.27. His final score of 102 runs included 11 sixes and 6 fours.

4. Glenn Maxwell – 40 Balls (2023)

Known for his explosive batting, Glenn Maxwell achieved a blistering hundred off 40 balls against the Netherlands on October 25, 2023, in New Delhi. His incredible innings, with a strike rate of 250.00, saw him scoring 106 runs, featuring 9 boundaries and 8 sixes.

5. Asif Khan – 41 Balls (2023)

On March 16, 2023, Asif Khan stunned the cricketing world with a 41-ball century against Nepal. His innings, marked by a strike rate of 243.90, saw him amass 101 runs, smashing 11 sixes and 4 fours.

6. Mark Boucher – 44 Balls (2006)

Former South African wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher notched a 44-ball century against Zimbabwe in Potchefstroom on September 20, 2006. His explosive innings ended at 147 runs, including 10 sixes and 8 fours, with a strike rate of 227.27.

7. Brian Lara – 45 Balls (1999)

West Indies legend Brian Lara crafted a stunning century in 45 balls against Bangladesh on October 9, 1999, in Dhaka. Lara’s innings, with a strike rate of 222.22, featured 117 runs, including 4 sixes and 18 fours.

8. Virat Kohli – 52 Balls (2013)

Among Indian cricketers, Virat Kohli holds the record for the fastest century in ODIs. He reached his hundred in 52 balls against Australia on October 16, 2013, in Jaipur. His innings saw him amass 7 sixes and 8 fours, cementing his reputation as one of cricket’s finest batters.

FAQs

Who has the fastest ODI century record?
The record for the fastest ODI century is held by AB de Villiers, who scored 100 runs in mere 31 balls against West Indies in 2015.

Fastest ODI century for India by a player?
Virat Kohli holds the record for the fastest ODI century for India, scoring the century in just 52 balls against Australia in 2013.