Decoding the fastest centuries in T20 World Cups
The 2024 edition of the ICC T20 World Cup will be underway on June 1. West Indies and USA will co-host the marquee event as dashers from all over the world will be in action. The past eight editions of the competition have also witnessed some jaw-dropping action on the field. Here we decode the fastest centuries in T20 WCs.
Rilee Rossouw - 52 balls
South Africa's Rilee Rossouw scored a breathtaking ton against Bangladesh in the group-stage match of the 2022 event in Sydney. The southpaw, who reached his hundred off a mere 52 balls, ended up scoring 109 off 56 balls. He smoked seven boundaries besides eight maximums. His brilliance meant SA posted 205/5 while batting first and eventually recorded a 104-run triumph.
Brendon McCullum - 51 balls
It was the 2012 edition of the competition and New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum went absolutely berserk against Bangladesh in Pallekele, Sri Lanka. While he brought up his hundred off 51 balls, he ended up scoring 123 off 58 balls (4s: 11, 6s: 7). This is the highest individual score in T20 WCs to date. McCullum's brilliance powered NZ to a 59-run triumph.
Chris Gayle - 50 balls
The Chris Gayle storm struck South Africa in the very first game of the inaugural T20 WC edition in Johannesburg, 2007. The southpaw attacked from the outset as the Proteas bowlers looked clueless. He took 50 balls to reach his hundred and ended up scoring a 57-ball 117 (4s: 7, 6s: 10). His efforts, however, went in vain as SA won by eight wickets.
Chris Gayle - 47 balls
Gayle also finds himself atop this list, having reached his hundred off 47 balls in the 2016 T20 WC match against England in Mumbai. The southpaw made a mockery of the English bowlers with an unbeaten 48-ball 100 as WI chased down 183 with six wickets in hand. Gayle's stellar knock was studded with 11 sixes and five fours.
