Scoring a hundred in an ODI match is what a batsman desire on the field. But cricket has changed a lot over the years regarding approach in batting, bowling and fielding, fitness, rules, etc. In the 90s batsmen used to take time to score a century in ODI. But later players like Shahid Afridi, Sanath Jayasuriya, Virender Sehwag changed the approach in batting, and the contemporary players and next-generation cricketers took inspiration from that. Former English cricketer Denis Amiss hit the first-ever century in 1972 against Australia at Old Trafford. Afterward, many players have scored centuries, however, you need to go through the article to know who are the top five batsmen to score the fastest 100 in ODI cricket.
AB DE Villiers
Former South African batsman AB DE Villiers has scored the fastest 100 in ODI cricket in just 31 balls. We all are aware of AB DE Villiers’s hard-hitting ability on the ground. He could dismantle the guts of any bowling lineup in the world with this merciless bashing. Known as “Mr.360”, he scored 149 runs off 44 balls in that match against West Indies at Wanderers stadium. The Proteas swashbuckling top-order batsman smashed 16 sixes and 9 fours in the match. His prolonged innings helped South Africa to post 440 runs target for the Caribbeans.
Corey Anderson
Former Kiwi all-rounder Corey Anderson is following AB DE Villiers in terms of hitting the fastest 100 being in the 2nd place. The aggressive all-rounder also accomplished the feat against West Indies in 36 balls at Queenstown in 2014. having a strike of 278.82, he smacked 14 sixes and 6 fours, making the bowlers clueless completely. He ended his innings on 131* runs in 57 balls and West Indies failed to chase the target of 283 runs.
Shahid Afridi
Ex all-rounder from Pakistan, Shahid Afridi owns the record of hitting the 3rd fastest 100 in the history of ODI cricket. The match was played against Sri Lanka in Nairobi, 18 years old Afridi made the hundred in just 37 balls with the help of 11 sixes and 6 fours. The young boy slammed the Lankan bowler hard and got out just after scoring his ton. Eventually, Sri Lanka lost the match by 82 runs as they were unable to surpass the target of 372 runs.
Mark Boucher
The 4th spot on the chart of scoring the fastest hundred is surprising, he is South African wicket-keeper batsman Mark Boucher, who was not known for batting explosively. But in an ODI match against Zimbabwe in 2006, he hit the special ton in just 44 balls at Potchefstroom. South Africa set a target of 419 runs for the visitors with the help of Bouchers 147* off 68 balls.
Brian Lara
One of the best batsmen of all time, Brian Lara has also made it to the list by smashing the 5th fastest 100 in ODIs. Usually, Lara was known for his calm and composed batting. But in 1999 against Bangladesh, the southpaw amused the world, hitting a century in just 45 balls in Dhaka. He hit 4 sixes and 18 fours in his brisk knock.
AB DE Villiers has scored the fastest century in ODI (31 balls).
Virat Kohli has scored the fastest 100, playing for India in just 52 balls.
Table Of The Top 10 Fastest Century In ODI
| Player | Runs | Balls | Against | Venue |
| AB DE Villiers (SA) | 149 | 31 | West Indies | Wanderers Stadium |
| C Anderson (NZ) | 131* | 36 | West Indies | Queenstown Stadium |
| S Afridi (PAK) | 102 | 37 | Sri Lanka | Nairobi Gymkhana Ground |
| M Boucher (SA) | 147 | 44 | Zimbabwe | Senwes Park |
| B Lara (WI) | 117 | 45 | Bangladesh | Shere Bangla National Stadium |
| S Afridi (PAK) | 102 | 45 | India | Green Park Stadium |
| J Rider (NZ) | 104 | 46 | West Indies | Queenstown Stadium |
| J Buttler (ENG) | 116* | 46 | Pakistan | Dubai Cricket Stadium |
| S Jayasuriya (SL) | 134 | 48 | Pakistan | Padang Cricket Ground |
| K O’Brien (IRE) | 113 | 50 | England | Chinnaswamy Stadium |
Senior Cricket Content Editor at Skyblogs Cricket.
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