Top 5 Fastest Centuries In The History Of IPL Ft. Vaibhav Suryavanshi

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has consistently delivered some of the most electrifying moments in the cricketing world, becoming a stage where talent meets opportunity. While sixes and fours decorate every season, there’s one milestone that carries an aura of supremacy and unfiltered dominance: the fastest century. Scoring a hundred in a T20 format is no easy feat, let alone in a league stacked with the best bowlers on the planet. As the 2025 season added another chapter to this elite list, it’s time to revisit the five fastest centuries ever scored in IPL history and celebrate the extraordinary talents who etched their names into folklore.

1. Chris Gayle’s Carnage – 30 Balls (2013)

When we talk about brute force, few names resonate louder than Chris Gayle. The Jamaican giant produced an innings of mythical proportions in 2013 against Pune Warriors India at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Opening the innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gayle took a few balls to get settled. And then came the storm.

He reached his fifty in just 17 balls, punishing Ishwar Pandey, and then went berserk in Mitchell Marsh’s over, slamming 28 runs. Gayle brought up his hundred in only 30 balls, a record that stands unbeaten even today. His final score — an unbeaten 175 off 66 balls* — is the highest individual score in T20 history. His innings included 13 fours and a jaw-dropping 17 sixes. As if that wasn’t enough, he also chipped in with two wickets. That night, Gayle didn’t just play a match; he orchestrated a massacre.

2. Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s Fireworks – 35 Balls (2025)

Every now and then, a prodigy emerges who redefines what’s possible. In 2025, IPL witnessed its youngest centurion in history: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 14-year-old from Bihar playing for Rajasthan Royals. Facing Gujarat Titans in a high-stakes match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Vaibhav walked in with purpose and poise that belied his age.

Opening alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, he began with a flurry of boundaries and reached his fifty in just 17 balls. What followed was utter domination, especially in Karim Janat’s first IPL over—where he scored three sixes and three fours. He reached his maiden century in just 35 balls, smashing 7 fours and 11 sixes, including a huge maximum off Rashid Khan to get to three figures. Though dismissed for 101, the world had already stood up to applaud a new cricketing sensation.

3. Yusuf Pathan’s Mayhem – 37 Balls (2010)

Before T20s became the norm, Yusuf Pathan showcased just how devastating a batter could be. Chasing a massive 213 against Mumbai Indians in 2010, Rajasthan Royals were staring at defeat until Pathan turned it into a spectacle.

Starting with a slow build, he exploded into action, scoring 54 off just 11 balls during one period. Ali Murtaza and R Sathish bore the brunt as Pathan muscled his way to a 37-ball century, filled with unorthodox brilliance and unrelenting aggression. Unfortunately, a run-out halted his innings at 100 off 37, and Rajasthan lost the game. But for those who witnessed it, Shane Warne’s words summed it best: “That was the best innings I’ve ever seen.”

4. David Miller’s Madness – 38 Balls (2013)

Nicknamed “The Killer Miller,” David Miller truly lived up to the moniker in 2013. Playing for Punjab Kings against Royal Challengers Bangalore, the team was floundering at 64/4. Miller walked in and completely turned the tide.

Exercising caution early on, he soon targeted Vinay Kumar and RP Singh with surgical brutality. A particularly devastating over from RP Singh that went for 26 runs lifted Punjab’s chase. With three runs required to win, Miller fittingly brought up his century off 38 balls with a monstrous six, sealing the match in style. His unbeaten 101 off 38 balls became a benchmark for match-winning hundreds in pressure situations.

5. Travis Head’s Blitzkrieg – 39 Balls (2024)

In the modern era of fearless batting, Travis Head has carved a niche. In the 2024 IPL, playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bangalore, he gave the cricketing world another unforgettable night.

Opening the innings, Head’s powerplay rampage saw SRH zoom to 76/0 in just six overs. Exploiting the shorter boundaries of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Head smashed a 39-ball century, keeping the tempo brutal from ball one. Though he was dismissed for 102 off 41 balls, his innings had propelled SRH to 165 in just 11 overs. The final total of 287/3 became the highest ever in IPL, and Head’s century was the launchpad.

Special Mention: Priyansh Arya’s Heroics – 39 Balls (2025)

Just missing the top five by mere balls, Priyansh Arya’s hundred for Punjab Kings against Chennai Super Kings in 2025 was nothing short of sensational. Acquired for INR 3.8 crore, the pressure was immense—but Arya delivered with style and steel.

Opening the innings, he hit a six off the first ball and never looked back. Pathirana, Deshpande, and Theekshana all fell prey to his aggressive strokeplay. He reached his century in 39 balls, mirroring Travis Head, but a slightly higher ball-count pushed him to the special mentions list. Still, Arya’s knock solidified his place as one of the season’s breakout stars.

Why Fastest Centuries Matter in T20 Cricket

T20 is all about momentum, and nothing shifts the tide more dramatically than a fast century. Unlike conventional formats, T20 demands urgency. A batter doesn’t have the luxury to settle in; every ball counts. Hence, a fast hundred is not just about personal milestones; it reshapes the match, demoralizes bowlers, and tilts strategies.

Each of these players, from Gayle’s hurricane to Suryavanshi’s youthful eruption, didn’t just score runs—they altered the dynamics of the contest. These knocks become motivational tapes for young batters and tactical case studies for coaches.

The Road Ahead: Can Gayle’s Record Be Broken?

As T20 cricket continues to evolve, fitness, bat technology, and fearless cricketing culture have made even the most absurd records vulnerable. While Chris Gayle’s 30-ball century seems invincible, talents like Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Priyansh Arya have shown that the impossible might just be a season away.

IPL is no longer just a tournament; it’s a launchpad for prodigies, a cauldron of pressure, and a playground for legends. And when a century comes in under 40 balls, it becomes a tale told for generations.

As the league grows, fans can only wonder — who will be next to shake the IPL with a record-smashing blitz?

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