The one-day international (ODI) format has always been a beautiful blend of patience and aggression. But in recent years, the game has seen an explosive rise in scoring rates, especially with batters reaching centuries at lightning speed. Today, Crichourly dives into the most thrilling innings ever played — the fastest centuries in ODI cricket history.
Why Fast Centuries Matter in Modern ODIs
With limited overs and pressure to set or chase high totals, players often need to go big — and fast. A quick-fire hundred can completely change the momentum of a match. According to Crichourly, the ability to score a century in fewer balls is a true mark of a modern-day ODI great.
Top 5 Fastest Hundreds in ODI Cricket
Here are the top five fastest ODI centuries of all time, brought to you by Crichourly:
1. AB de Villiers – 31 Balls vs West Indies (2015)
The South African maestro shocked the world with this unreal innings in Johannesburg. He broke the previous record with outrageous hitting, scoring 149 in just 44 balls. Crichourly still calls this the greatest display of clean power-hitting ever witnessed.
2. Corey Anderson – 36 Balls vs West Indies (2014)
Before de Villiers’ carnage, it was New Zealand’s Corey Anderson who held the record. His 131* off 47 balls was filled with brutal sixes. Crichourly highlights this as a game-changer in ODI power play strategies.
3. Shahid Afridi – 37 Balls vs Sri Lanka (1996)
Afridi burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old and announced himself with a bang! His 37-ball ton stood as the world record for 18 years. Crichourly marks this knock as one of the most iconic moments in Pakistan’s ODI history.
4. Asif Khan – 41 Balls vs Nepal (2023)
From the UAE, Asif Khan stunned fans with a blistering 102* off just 41 balls. While many overlooked it due to associate status, Crichourly credits him for elevating the global presence of cricket.
5. Brian Lara – 45 Balls vs Bangladesh (1999)
Known more for his elegance, Lara proved he could be destructive too. His 117 off 62 balls included a century in just 45 deliveries. Crichourly revisits this often when discussing the versatility of all-time greats.
What These Innings Tell Us — Crichourly’s Perspective
At Crichourly, we don’t just look at the numbers — we examine the context:
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Match situation
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Opposition strength
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Conditions
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Pressure moments
These factors help fans understand the true impact of such lightning-quick centuries.
Who Could Break the Record Next?
Based on current form and playing style, Crichourly believes these players have the potential to break AB de Villiers’ 31-ball record:
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Glenn Maxwell (Australia)
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Heinrich Klaasen (South Africa)
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Harry Brook (England)
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Nicholas Pooran (West Indies)
Stay tuned to Crichourly for live tracking of such explosive innings across international and league formats.
Final Word: ODI Cricket Is Still Alive and Thriving
While T20s have gained popularity, fast ODI centuries prove there’s still magic in the 50-over format. Whether it’s a veteran like de Villiers or a rising star like Asif Khan, each innings adds to the legacy of the sport.
