Top 10 Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket and the Record Setters Behind Them

Fans follow ODI cricket for its energy, speed, and nonstop excitement. The fastest century in ODI cricket always grabs attention because it shows raw skill, strength, and confidence. Each rapid hundred changes the rhythm of a match in minutes. These innings stay in memory because the batters refuse to slow down. They attack from the first ball and control every shot. 

This list explains the fastest centuries in ODI cricket, the mindset behind these knocks, and why these records made history. The top 10 fastest centuries in ODI show how modern batting keeps growing. Every player on this list pushed the limits. These knocks are part of cricket’s most thrilling moments.

AB de Villiers, 31 balls, Fastest Century in ODI Cricket

AB de Villiers holds the world record for the fastest century in ODI cricket, and it still feels unreal. His 31-ball hundred against the West Indies at Wanderers Stadium came on January 18, 2015. Everything about this innings showed confidence and control. He walked in with freedom and attacked from the first ball. His 360-degree hitting made the bowlers panic. The crowd roared with every shot, and the West Indies fielders had no answer for his pace.

De Villiers finished with 149 from 44 balls. He struck 9 fours and 16 sixes. His balance and timing looked perfect. The shots over midwicket, the scoops fine on the leg side, the powerful drives straight past the bowler, everything worked. 

Bowlers tried slower balls, but he waited and sent them over the rope. They tried short and full balls, but he lifted them with ease. This is why fans still call him one of the most skilled batters in cricket.

This record shaped the way batters think about aggressive play. His ability to move across the crease and turn any ball into a boundary made this knock special. Many call this the greatest hitting masterclass in ODI cricket. 

Even today, players admire this record because it shows what a batter can do when skill meets courage. This innings sits at the top of the fastest centuries in ODI cricket and stands tall in cricket history.

Corey Anderson, 36 balls

Corey Anderson produced a stunning knock on New Year’s Day in 2014 at Queenstown. His 36-ball hundred broke Shahid Afridi’s long-standing record at that time. The match had only 21 overs due to rain. Anderson used the short format to launch a full attack. He played bold shots without any pause. His clean swing of the bat gave him natural power. Every six felt easy and effortless.

Anderson scored 131 not out from 47 balls. He hit 6 fours and 14 massive sixes. His strikes over long-on and midwicket showed great strength. His flat sixes straight down the ground carried a huge distance. The bowlers struggled because every ball landed in the stands. His approach lifted the tempo of the innings. This was one of the most powerful knocks in ODI cricket. The innings showed how strength and confidence can change a match quickly.

Fans across the world still remember this knock for its speed and impact. Anderson controlled the game from the moment he arrived at the crease. His ability to stay calm while hitting these huge shots made him stand out. 

This performance sits high on the list of the top 10 fastest centuries in ODI cricket. His name remains part of ODI history because this innings proved that new players could step in and rewrite records.

Shahid Afridi, 37 balls

Shahid Afridi’s famous 37-ball hundred changed how teams looked at aggressive batting. He was only 16 years old and playing his second international match. The match took place in Nairobi against Sri Lanka. 

Afridi walked in at number three and attacked from the start. His fearless hitting shocked the cricket world. The sixes he hit carried long distances. His bat swing generated unbelievable power.

Afridi scored 102 from 40 balls. He struck 6 fours and 11 sixes. The shots came quickly and without hesitation. His high backlift gave him control and strength. The bowlers aimed for his pads, his off stump, and even short balls, but nothing slowed him. His knock built a new image for ODI batting. Many fans still see this innings as the turning point for power hitting.

For 18 years, his 37-ball hundred stood as the fastest century in ODI cricket. It inspired a new wave of fearless players. The world began to notice that a batter could take charge of an innings from the very beginning. Afridi’s name became linked with quick runs and powerful sixes. This knock remains one of the brightest moments in the fastest centuries in ODI cricket.

Glenn Maxwell, 40 balls

Glenn Maxwell produced a record-breaking show in the 2023 ODI World Cup. His 40-ball century against the Netherlands in Delhi became the fastest century in World Cup history. He used creative angles, fast footwork, and powerful strikes to dominate the bowlers. 

Every shot showed confidence. His reverse sweeps carried the ball over the infield. His slog sweeps traveled deep into the stands. His straight hits came off the bat with perfect timing.

Maxwell scored 106 from 44 balls. He hit 9 fours and 8 sixes. His approach did not slow down at any point. His mind stayed clear, and he kept finding boundaries. This innings came on a big stage, which made it even more special. 

Fans around the world called it one of his best innings. Maxwell knows how to surprise bowlers with unusual shots. He controls the game by playing the field smartly.

This innings sits proudly in the list of the top 10 fastest centuries in ODI cricket. His ability to change a match within minutes makes him one of the most explosive players in limited-overs cricket. This knock also gave him the title of the fastest century in ODI World Cup history.

Asif Khan, 41 balls

Asif Khan from the UAE delivered a brilliant innings against Nepal in Kirtipur. His 41-ball hundred surprised many fans because it came with pure timing and power. He struck the ball cleanly. His balance helped him control big shots with ease. Asif scored an unbeaten 101 from 42 balls. He hit 4 fours and 11 sixes. The sixes carried high and long.

His confidence showed in every shot. He picked the length early and stayed steady. The bowlers tried changing pace, but he stayed in control. His knock placed him among the elite names who scored one of the fastest centuries in ODI cricket. This innings proved that talent rises from every cricket nation.

Mark Boucher, 44 balls

Mark Boucher was known for his finishing skills and strong mindset. His 44-ball century against Zimbabwe stands as one of the boldest knocks by a lower-order batter. He walked in during a strong position and increased the scoring rate without wasting time. 

His balance and sharp eye helped him find gaps with simple swings of the bat. He kept the game moving at a fast pace and never stepped away from attacking shots.

Boucher finished unbeaten on 147 from 68 balls. He struck 8 fours and 10 sixes. His sixes hitting looked clean and powerful. Many of his shots went straight down the ground. Boucher had great control over full balls and short balls. 

His footwork brought him into perfect positions for every swing. The bowlers kept changing their plans, but he kept hitting boundaries. His innings remains one of the best by any middle or lower-order batter in ODI cricket.

This knock stands strong in the top 10 fastest centuries in ODI cricket because it came from a batter who usually entered the crease late in an innings. Many fans remember this match for the confidence he showed. His hundred in 44 balls proved that lower order players can match the pace of top-order hitters. 

This innings also became a big moment for South African cricket because it pushed the team to a strong total. Boucher’s knock fits perfectly in the list of the fastest centuries in ODI cricket because it shows that rapid scoring does not only belong to openers or power hitters. His calm mind and sharp reactions helped him produce one of the most controlled attacking knocks in ODI history.

Brian Lara, 45 balls

Brian Lara, known for elegance and classic strokes, produced a fiery knock against Bangladesh in Dhaka. His 45-ball century surprised many fans because he normally played long, technical innings. 

This time, he came out with full intent to attack. His shots stayed smooth and powerful at the same time. Lara used timing more than brute force. His ability to send the ball to the fence with simple wrist work added beauty to this innings.

Lara scored 117 from 62 balls. He struck 18 fours and 4 sixes. His placement and shot selection made his innings look very easy. He never rushed but kept scoring quickly. The bowlers struggled because he played both spin and pace with the same level of comfort. His cover drives found the rope again and again. His pull shots sent the ball deep into the crowd. Every stroke looked controlled.

This innings sits among the fastest centuries in ODI cricket because it broke the idea that only power hitters could score rapid hundreds. Lara used skill more than force. Fans admired how he kept every shot clean and still reached the three-figure mark in only 45 balls. 

His hundred showed his range and his ability to shift gears. This knock added variety to the list of the top 10 fastest centuries in ODI cricket because it came from a batter known more for class than aggression. Lara proved he could switch to aggressive batting at any moment and still stay in full control.

Shahid Afridi, 45 balls

Shahid Afridi appears for the second time in this list with another explosive hundred. This time, he scored a 45-ball century against India in Kanpur. The match created huge excitement because India vs Pakistan matches always attract attention. Afridi opened the batting and attacked from the first over. His approach stayed clear. He wanted to dominate the bowlers and shape the chase early.

Afridi scored 102 from 46 balls. He hit 10 fours and 9 sixes. His attack on the spinners created pressure. His strikes over midwicket and long off showed his full power. The bowlers tried yorkers and bouncers, but he kept swinging with confidence. His timing looked sharp, and his footwork helped him reach the pitch of the ball. Once he crossed fifty, he increased the pace even more.

This knock added another moment to Afridi’s long list of fast-scoring innings. His name fits naturally into the history of the fastest centuries in ODI cricket because he always played with aggression. 

Fans still remember his shots flying deep into the crowd. His hundred in Kanpur helped Pakistan control the match. This innings also strengthened his reputation as one of the most dangerous openers in limited-overs cricket. His ability to attack from ball one made him a key part of the top 10 fastest centuries in ODI cricket list.

Jesse Ryder, 46 balls

Jesse Ryder played a powerful knock that was overshadowed for a short time only because Corey Anderson produced a world record in the same match. Ryder scored a 46-ball century as an opener and stayed aggressive from the beginning. He used strong shoulders and a steady base to strike the ball cleanly. His drives and pulls carried great power. He gave his team a fast start and kept rotating strike when needed.

Ryder scored 104 from 51 balls. He hit 12 fours and 5 sixes. His strikes through cover and midwicket traveled with great pace. He stayed calm and played his natural game. His timing stayed smooth and helped him clear the boundary without forcing shots. His balance allowed him to stay still and strike with full control.

This innings ranks among the top 10 fastest centuries in ODI cricket because it showed pure strength and clean hitting. Ryder proved he could take charge of an innings on his own. His partnership with Anderson gave New Zealand one of the most aggressive opening displays in ODI cricket. 

Fans remember this knock because Ryder held his place firmly even when his partner grabbed headlines. His 46-ball hundred remains a proud moment in the list of the fastest centuries in ODI cricket.

Jos Buttler, 46 balls

Jos Buttler is known for his incredible range of strokes. His 46-ball century against Pakistan in Dubai showed why he is considered one of the best finishers in modern cricket. He started with simple shots and then increased the pace quickly. His placement and bat speed gave him full control. His ability to switch between conventional and unconventional shots kept the bowlers guessing.

Buttler remained unbeaten on 116 from 52 balls. He hit 10 fours and 8 sixes. His reverse shots and lofted drives created pressure on the fielders. His calm body position helped him generate quick power. He read the bowlers well and punished every loose delivery. His innings built momentum and gave England a strong platform. His strike rotation kept the scoreboard moving, and his big hits lifted the run rate sharply.

This knock stands among the fastest centuries in ODI cricket because it shows smooth power and creative play. Buttler has a strong reputation for finishing matches, and this innings added another chapter to his skillset. 

His 46-ball hundred stays a key part of the top 10 fastest centuries in ODI cricket list because of its clean execution and smart approach. His innings displayed a perfect mix of timing and risk control.

Fastest Centuries in ODI World Cup

The ODI World Cup remains the biggest stage. Each century scored here adds weight and value.

Rank	Player	Balls Faced	Opponent	Year
1	Glenn Maxwell	40	Netherlands	2023
2	Aiden Markram	49	Sri Lanka	2023
3	Kevin O’Brien	50	England	2011
4	Glenn Maxwell	51	Sri Lanka	2015
5	AB de Villiers	52	West Indies	2015

Conclusion

The list of the fastest centuries in ODI cricket highlights the growth of aggressive batting. Players from different teams and different roles created moments that shaped ODI history. Each knock carries its own story. AB de Villiers sits on top with the world record fastest century in ODI. His 31-ball hundred still feels unreal. Corey Anderson, Shahid Afridi, Glenn Maxwell, and others added unforgettable moments. Each innings in the top 10 fastest centuries in ODI cricket shows courage and skill.

Modern cricket encourages fast scoring. Strong bats, sharp fitness, and confidence help batters attack early. These innings remain part of cricket’s most exciting memories. One day a player may break AB de Villiers’ record, but the thrill behind these knocks will always stay alive.