Fastest T20I сentury ever. Find out who is the best!

Fastest T20I century. Read about a 27-ball record and how it changed cricket history

Breaking boundaries: the fastest International T20 century in cricket history

Now this is what cricket’s all about — electric crowds, booming sixes, and records shattered in the blink of an eye. Welcome to the beautiful chaos that is T20 international cricket! If you’re still thinking of cricket as a slow burner, you’ve clearly missed the memo. This is the format that reinvented the game, poured rocket fuel into its veins, and turned every match into a thriller worthy of popcorn.

Speed and power — these two words define greatness in the T20I arena. The modern batter isn’t here to block and defend; they’re here to explode, to put bowlers into the stands, and to do it fast. And nothing captures this spirit better than the fastest international T20 century. These aren’t just stats on a scoreboard. They’re moments that light up stadiums, turn nobodies into legends, and give cricket fans goosebumps across continents. For those trying to anticipate the next breakout performance, a few well-timed sports betting tips can make following the action even more thrilling.

In this article, we’re diving into the heart of the action — exploring the fastest T20 international century ever scored, how it came to be, and what makes these batters the superheroes of the shortest format. Buckle up. Things are about to get loud.

What is T20 cricket and why speed matters?

Alright, picture this. It’s 2003, and cricket’s having a bit of a mid-life crisis. Test matches were glorious, yes, but long. One-dayers? Still popular, but losing a bit of shine. Then boom — T20 cricket bursts onto the scene like a firecracker in a library.

Born in England as a way to spice things up, T20 cricket compressed the game’s charm into a 3-hour rollercoaster. Each side gets just 20 overs. No second chances. No long defensive spells. It’s either go big or go home. And just like that, cricket had its rock ‘n’ roll format.

The appeal? Simple. Big hits, flashy fielding, dramatic collapses, and comebacks you wouldn’t believe. For the fans, it’s a party. For the players? It’s an all-out assault, however it does not guarantee a win for the team.The batters are expected to fire from the first ball. Bowlers? Well, let’s just say they’ve started wearing body armour in some leagues.

In this mad sprint, the role of speed became everything. Speed in running, yes. Speed in thinking. But above all — speed in scoring. That’s why a century in T20 isn’t just a landmark — it’s a firework show. And if it’s the fastest T20 international century? That’s pure legend territory.

“T20 isn’t just a format, it’s cricket’s rock concert – loud, fast, and unforgettable.” – Harsha Bhogle.

The record-breaker – Sahil Chauhan’s 27-ball blitz

Hold on to your hats because what happened on 17th June 2024 in Episkopi was utter madness.

A name few had heard — Sahil Chauhan, playing for Estonia — walked onto the pitch against Cyprus and unleashed an innings that didn’t just break records; it demolished them. This Indian-origin batter wasn’t just swinging for the fences; he was launching missiles.

In just 27 balls, Chauhan reached 100 runs. You read that right. Twenty-seven. That’s not even five overs! By the time the dust settled, his final score was 144 not out off 41 balls, featuring an astonishing 18 sixes. His strike rate? A mind-boggling 370.37. That’s not cricket — that’s demolition derby.

To put it into context, this record shattered the previous bests held by Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (Namibia) and Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), who had both notched up 100s in 33 balls earlier in the same year. And yes, it even left Chris Gayle’s legendary T20 World Cup knock in the rear-view mirror.

Chauhan’s innings wasn’t just about numbers — it was a moment that signaled the rise of associate nations in cricket. Estonia might not be the first name that springs to mind in cricket circles, but after this, they’ve carved out a spot in history. Chauhan didn’t just hit the fastest T20 international century; he lit a beacon for the future of global cricket.

Fastest centuries in T20 International cricket

Let’s take a moment to honour the elite club of batters who’ve not just scored T20I centuries — but done it blisteringly fast. These aren’t just players; they’re adrenaline factories. Below is a list of the top 15 fastest hundreds in international T20 history — a table that reads like a festival of fireworks.

This table is living proof that the fastest T20 century international glory doesn’t just belong to traditional powerhouses. From Hungary to Nepal, from Namibia to Japan, T20I cricket is opening the door for new stars, and they’re storming through with bats blazing.

Beyond the numbers – players who changed the game

Now, we all love the stats — who hit the fastest, who cleared the most boundaries — but let’s be real, some innings go beyond the spreadsheet. Some centuries? They shift the whole vibe of the sport.

Most iconic fast T20I centuries and why they mattered

• Sikandar Raza’s 33-balls brilliance. Zimbabwe’s all-round general brought his A-game with a 33-ball century against Gambia. At a time when Zimbabwe was searching for form, Raza stood tall. His innings wasn’t just fast — it was symbolic. That knock reignited belief, in fans and teammates alike.
• Kushal Malla’s 34-balls blast. But don’t sleep on Kushal Malla, the young gun from Nepal. His 34-ball blast against Mongolia in 2023 wasn’t just about fireworks — it was Nepal’s official arrival on the global cricket stage. He didn’t tiptoe onto the scene; he kicked the door in.
• Rohit Sharma’s 35-balls ton. Then there’s our very own Rohit Sharma. His 35-ball hundred against Sri Lanka in 2017? Pure elegance wrapped in power. Rohit didn’t just hit big — he made it look easy. Every flick, every lofted drive — it was like watching a painter with a bat. He still holds the record for India’s fastest T20I century, and it’s a thing of beauty.
• Chris Gayle’s 47-balls ton in T20 World Cup 2016. Back in those days, the big man bludgeoned a century in just 47 balls against England. But here’s the kicker — that wasn’t even his first! He also bagged a ton in 2007, becoming the first player to hit two T20 World Cup centuries. Gayle doesn’t just break records — he rewrites them with style. His 2016 masterclass? It turned a tense chase into a Caribbean carnival.
• Brendon McCullum’s 123 runs off 58 balls in the 2012 T20 World Cup. That wasn’t just batting — that was an onslaught. Baz redefined what an opener could do in this format.

These innings mattered. Not just because they were quick, but because they meant something. Legacy. Leadership. Loud statements.

Fastest Indian centuries – International & domestic

India’s T20 scene is bursting with talent, and when it comes to fastest T20 centuries.

In Indore, 2024, Urvil Patel dropped jaws with a 28-ball hundred against Tripura in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. That kind of innings doesn’t come along every day — it was ruthless, clinical, and confident.Sanju Samson shined in 2024, with a slick 37-ball century against England in Mumbai. He’s always had the tools, but this one? This was his “I’m here now” moment. Clean hitting, classy temperament — he’s carving out a space at the top table.

Hot on his heels? Abhishek Sharma, who matched that record just a week later! A 28-ball special against Meghalaya in Rajkot. That’s back-to-back batting brilliance in domestic cricket. The man was seeing the ball like a beach ball.

Rishabh Pant adds his flair to the list with a 32-ball hundred in 2018 against Himachal. We all know Pant — reverse scoops, flicks, chaos. When he’s on, bowlers don’t know where to hide.

Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball T20I masterclass remains the gold standard internationally. It wasn’t just about pace — it was Rohit being Rohit: measured, majestic, and monstrous.

What makes a fast T20I century possible?

Alright, now we’ve celebrated the legends — let’s unpack how they do it. What really goes into these record-smashing innings?

First up: conditions. Flat pitches, quick outfields, short boundaries — they’re paradise for batters. Throw in average bowling? Boom. You’re in for a ride.

Then you’ve got the powerplay — fielders in, ball new, nerves high. That’s when elite batters feast. And don’t overlook the death overs, where bowlers gamble with yorkers and often lose.

But it’s not just surface-level stuff. There’s a mindset. Confidence. A decision to dominate from ball one. Modern players train for this. The gym, the nets, the data — everything is fine-tuned for short-format success.

And finally — let’s talk about the new wave. Estonia, Nepal, Czech Republic — they’re not here to spectate anymore. They’re breaking into the fastest T20I century conversation like veterans. Associate nations are no longer the underdogs; they’re the disruptors.

The evolution of T20 brilliance

T20 cricket doesn’t wait. It roars. And the fastest T20 international century isn’t just a stat — it’s a signal. A signal that cricket is getting quicker, louder, and everywhere. Nowadays Sahil Chauhan’s 27-ball ton is already off the charts, and the question arises — is it possible to score a century in under 25 balls in T20Is? We can’t know for sure but it would be absolute madness.

With players from Estonia to Zimbabwe rewriting history, the game has never been more open, or more exciting. Associate nations aren’t just joining the party — they’re headlining it.

And as talent explodes from every corner of the globe, one thing is clear: the next fastest international T20 century? It’s coming. And it might just be even faster.

FAQ

1. Who holds the record for T20 international fastest century?

That’d be Sahil Chauhan of Estonia — 27 balls against Cyprus in 2024.

2. Which are the fastest Indian centuries?

When it comes to fastest T20 centuries in India, we need to mention Urvil Patel (28-ball century), Abhishek Sharma with the same result as Patel but just a week later, Rishabh Pant with a 32-ball hundred and Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball T20I masterclass.

3. Is Chris Gayle’s record still relevant?

Oh, absolutely. He still owns the fastest T20 World Cup ton — 47 balls vs England. He’s in a league of his own.

4. Can a batter score a century in under 25 balls in T20Is?

Mathematically? Yes. Realistically? That would be absolute madness. Sahil Chauhan’s 27-ball ton is already off the charts, but with the right pitch, powerplay, and mindset, someone could go faster. The T20 game’s evolving fast, so never say never.

5. Do fast centuries guarantee a win for the team?

No, it doesn’t guarantee a win for the team. One fast hundred can’t always fix a shaky bowling attack or a poor fielding day.

6. Are fast T20 centuries more common in associate nation games?

Lately, yes! Players from teams like Estonia, Nepal, and Czech Republic are smashing records left, right, and centre. These matches often feature flatter pitches and developing bowling attacks, giving big hitters a stage to shine — and shine they do.

7. Why do we remember fast centuries more than longer ones?

Simple. They’re dramatic, rare, and feel like you’ve witnessed a piece of history unfold in real time. There’s something electric about a player hitting a hundred in 30-odd balls — it’s adrenaline in cricketing form, and fans never forget it.

8. What strike rate does Sahil Chauhan have?

His strike rate is 370.37.

9. How is it possible to make a fast T20l century?

There are different factors — conditions such as flat pitches, quick outfields, short boundaries, powerplay, mindset and confidence.

10. Where is Sikandar Raza from and why is he famous?

Sikandar Raza is from Zimbabwe and he is on the second place among fastest hundreds in international T20 history.