For a cricketer, few things rival the significance of piling up runs for their nation and fostering its triumphs. The ultimate delight is reaching the three-figure milestone—an accomplishment that merges personal success with a substantial boost to the team’s tally.
In the era of T20 cricket, coupled with enhanced training regimens and dietary advancements, scoring rates have skyrocketed. This has led to players achieving centuries in remarkably fewer deliveries, a phenomenon contrasting starkly with the norms of earlier generations.
In this article let’s explore the records of the Top 10 fastest centuries in ODI cricket:
Below is the list of the Top 10 fastest centuries in ODI cricket:
| Runs | Balls | 6s | 4s | Player | Match | Venue | Date |
| 149 | 31 | 16 | 9 | AB de Villiers | South Africa v West Indies | Johannesburg | 18/01/2015 |
| 131* | 36 | 14 | 6 | CJ Anderson | New Zealand v West Indies | Queenstown | 01/01/2014 |
| 102 | 37 | 11 | 6 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan v Sri Lanka | Nairobi | 04/10/1996 |
| 101* | 41 | 11 | 4 | Asif Khan | UAE v Nepal | Kirtipur | 16/03/2023 |
| 147* | 44 | 10 | 8 | MV Boucher | South Africa v Zimbabwe | Potchefstroom | 20/09/2006 |
| 117 | 45 | 4 | 18 | BC Lara | West Indies v Bangladesh | Dhaka | 09/10/1999 |
| 102 | 45 | 9 | 10 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan v India | Kanpur | 15/04/2005 |
| 104 | 46 | 5 | 12 | JD Ryder | New Zealand v West Indies | Queenstown | 01/01/2014 |
| 116* | 46 | 8 | 10 | JC Buttler | England v Pakistan | Dubai (DSC) | 20/11/2015 |
| 162* | 47 | 14 | 7 | JC Buttler | England v Netherlands | Amstelveen | – |
1. Ab de Villiers(South Africa):
AB de Villiers, a seasoned right-handed top-order batsman from South Africa, tops the list for the fastest ODI century. Ab is also referred to as Mr. 360. He achieved this feat by reaching his hundred in only 31 balls and amassing 149 runs in 44 balls against the West Indies.
The remarkable innings, which took place on January 18, 2015, at Johannesburg’s Wanderers Stadium, featured 9 fours and 16 sixes.
| Against | Balls | Date | Score (Balls) | S.Rate | 4s | 6s |
| West Indies | 31 | 18-Jan-2015 | 149 (44 Balls) | 338.63 | 09 | 16 |
2. Corey Anderson (New Zealand):
Corey Anderson is an allrounder and left-hand batsman from New Zealand. Corey Anderson is in second position in the list of fastest centuries in ODI cricket.
Corey Anderson scored his hundred In just 36 Balls with a score of 131* runs against West Indies on 01 January 2014 at Queenstown Events Centre. Plus it Includes 06 Fours and 14 Sixes.
| Against | Balls | Date | Score (Balls) | S.Rate | 4s | 6s |
| West Indies | 36 | 01-Jan-2014 | 131* (47 Balls) | 278.72 | 06 |
3. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan):
Shahid Afridi is a Veteran all-rounder and right-hand top-order Pakistani batsman. He is in the third position in the list of fastest centuries in ODI Cricket.
Shahid Afridi scored his hundred in just 37 Balls plus completed 102 Runs In 40 Balls against Sri Lanka on 04 October 1996 at Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi. Plus it Includes 06 Fours and 11 Sixes.
| Against | Balls | Date | Score (Balls) | S.Rate | 4s | 6s |
| Sri Lanka | 37 | 04-Oct-1996 | 102 (40 Balls) | 255.00 | 06 | 11 |
4. Asif Khan (UAE):
Asif Khan is from Lahore, Punjab. But he plays for UAE and he is a right-hand batsman. He is in the fourth position in the list of fastest centuries in ODI cricket.
Asif Khan scored his hundred in just 42 balls and completed 101* runs against Nepal on 16 March 2023 at Kirtipur. Plus it includes 11 sixes and 04 Fours
| Against | Balls | Date | Score (Balls) | S.Rate | 4s | 6s |
| Nepal | 41 | 16-march-2023 | 101* | – | 04 | 11 |
5. Mark Boucher (South Africa) :
Mark Boucher is a South African wicketkeeper-batsman. He is in fifth position in the list of fastest centuries in ODI Cricket.
Mark Boucher scored his hundred in just 44 Balls and completed 147* runs in 68 balls against Zimbabwe on 20 September 2006 at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom. Plus it Includes 08 Fours and 10 Sixes.
| Against | Balls | Date | Score (Balls) | S.Rate | 4s | 6s |
| Zimbabwe | 44 | 20-Sept-2006 | 147* (68 Balls) | 216.17 | 08 | 10 |
6. Brian Lara (West Indies) :
Brain Lara is the former West Indies Captain. He is a left-hand top-order batsman. Brian Lara is in sixth position on the list of fastest centuries in ODI cricket.
Brain Lara scored his hundredth In just 45 Balls and completed 117 Runs in 62 Balls against Bangladesh on 09 October 1999 at Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka. Plus it Includes 18 Fours and 04 Sixes.
| Against | Balls | Date | Score (Balls) | S.Rate | 4s | 6s |
| Bangladesh | 45 | 09-Oct-1999 | 117 (62 Balls) | 188.70 | 18 | 04 |
7. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) :
Shahid Afridi is a Veteran all-rounder and right-hand top-order Pakistani batsman. He is in the seventh position in the list of fastest centuries in ODI Cricket.
Shahid Afridi scored his hundred in just 45 Balls and completed 102 Runs In 46 Balls against India on 15 April 2005 at Green Park, Kanpur. Plus it Includes 10 Fours and 09 Sixes.
| Against | Balls | Date | Score (Balls) | S.Rate | 4s | 6s |
| India | 45 | 15-Apr-2005 | 102 (46 Balls) | 221.73 | 10 | 09 |
8. Jesse Ryder (New Zealand) :
Jesse Ryder is from New Zealand. He is an all-rounder and left-hand opening batsman. Jesse Ryder Is in the eighth position on the list of fastest centuries in ODI cricket.
Jesse Ryder scored his hundred in just 46 Balls and completed 104 runs in 51 balls against West Indies on 01 January 2014 at Queenstown Events Centre. Plus it includes 12 Fours and 05 Sixes.
| Against | Balls | Date | Score (Balls) | S.Rate | 4s | 6s |
| West Indies | 46 | 01-Jan-2014 | 104 (51 Balls) | 203.92 | 12 | 05 |
9. Jos Buttler (England) :
Jos Buutler hails from England. He is a right-hand wicketkeeper-batsman. Jos Buttler is in ninth position in the list of fastest centuries in ODI cricket.
Jos Buttler scored his hundred in just 46 Balls and completed 116* runs in 52 Balls against Pakistan on 20 November 2015 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Plus it Includes 10 Fours and 08 Sixes.
| Against | Balls | Date | Score (Balls) | S.Rate | 4s | 6s |
| Pakistan | 46 | 20-Nov-2015 | 116* (52 Balls) | 223.07 | 10 | 08 |
10. Jos Buttler (England) :
Jos Buutler hails from England. He is a right-hand wicketkeeper-batsman. Jos Buttler is in the tenth position in the list of fastest centuries in ODI cricket.
Jos Buttler scored his hundred in just 47 Balls and completed 162* runs in 70 Balls against the Netherlands on 17 June 2022 at VRA Ground, Amstelveen. Plus it Includes 10 Fours and 08 Sixes.
| Against | Balls | Date | Score (Balls) | S.Rate | 4s | 6s |
| Netherlands | 47 | 17-June-2022 | 162* (70 Balls) | 231.42 | 07 | 14 |
Conclusion
In the world of ODI cricket, the pursuit of a century within a limited number of balls is a remarkable feat that showcases the player’s exceptional skill and determination.
The top 10 fastest centuries in ODI cricket history are a testament to the rapid evolution of the sport and the extraordinary talents of the players who have achieved this milestone.
These incredible performances not only demonstrate the players’ prowess but also add an exhilarating dimension to the game, captivating fans worldwide.
As cricket continues to evolve, the pursuit of swift centuries will undoubtedly remain a thrilling aspect of the sport, inspiring both current and future generations of players to push their boundaries and etch their names in cricket’s record books.
Also, check out Indian Batsmen With Most Runs In ODI Cricket
