The shortest format of cricket, T20I, is known for its explosive power-hitting and thrilling finishes. Recently, a young Namibian batsman, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, rewrote the record books by achieving the fastest century in T20I history.
Loftie-Eaton’s feat came against Nepal in the first T20I of the Nepal Tri-Nation T20I series. The 22-year-old unleashed a whirlwind knock of 101 runs off just 33 deliveries, surpassing the previous record of 34 balls held by Nepal’s Kushal Malla. His innings was a masterclass in aggression, consisting of 11 boundaries and a staggering 8 sixes. Loftie-Eaton’s knock not only propelled Namibia to a commanding total of 206/4, but also cemented his place in cricketing history.
While Loftie-Eaton’s achievement is remarkable, it’s important to note that the record for the fastest century across all T20 formats still belongs to the legendary Chris Gayle. In an Indian Premier League match in 2013, Gayle blasted a century off just 30 balls, showcasing his unparalleled power-hitting prowess.
The list of players who have scored the fastest centuries in T20I cricket highlights the growing trend of explosive batting in the format. While Loftie-Eaton takes the top spot, other notable names include David Miller (South Africa), Rohit Sharma (India), and Sudesh Wickramasekara (Sri Lanka), all of whom have achieved the feat in just 35 balls. This blog discusses top 10 of them.
Top 10 Players with the Fastest Centuries in T20I
1. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (Namibia): At just 22, Loftie-Eaton rewrote the record books in February 2024, smashing a century off just 33 balls against Nepal at Kritipur, the fastest in T20I history.
2. Kushal Malla (Nepal): Previously holding the record, Malla impressed in September 2023 with a 34-ball century against Mongolia, highlighting the talent emerging from associate nations.
3. David Miller (South Africa): Miller’s power-hitting prowess was on display in 2017 when he blasted a century off 35 balls against Bangladesh at Potchefstroom.
4. Rohit Sharma (India): The “Hitman” lived up to his nickname in 2017, reaching his century in 35 balls against Sri Lanka, showcasing his consistent big-hitting ability. He gave Indore fans a reason to celebrate.
5. Sudesh Wickramasekara (Sri Lanka): Wickramasekara’s 35-ball century against Turkey at Ilfov County in 2019 proves that explosive batting isn’t limited to established cricket nations.
6. S. Periyalwar (Romania): Representing the potential in associate nations, Periyalwar reached his century in 39 balls for Romania against Turkey in 2019 at Ilfov County.
7. Zeeshan Kukikhel (Afghanistan): Kukikhel showcased Afghanistan’s batting talent with a 39-ball century against Austria in 2022 in Lower Australia, demonstrating their rising potential.
8. Johnson Charles (West Indies): The experienced Charles proved he still has the power, reaching his century in 39 balls for the West Indies against South Africa in 2023. His century abuzz the Centurion crowd.
9. Kazuki Kadowaki-Fleming (Japan): Kadowaki-Fleming’s 40-ball century against South Korea in 2022 at Sano highlights the global appeal of T20 cricket, showcasing the talent present in Japan.
10. Ollie Hairs (Scotland): Hairs represents the strong batting lineup of Scotland, reaching his century in 40 balls against Italy in 2023 at Edinburgh.
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