Fastest Century in IPL History: Top 10 Innings by Balls

Chris Gayle owns the fastest century in IPL history. He reached 100 in 30 balls for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in Bengaluru on 23 April 2013, during his unbeaten 175. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is second with a 35-ball hundred in 2025, then third with a 36-ball hundred in IPL 2026.

The list below ranks innings by the balls needed to reach 100. Equal milestones share a rank. The first 10 ranked entries contain 10 innings, with shared ranks at 4 and 7. The table is current through the completed IPL 2026 final on 31 May 2026.

Scope note: IPL matches only. “Balls” means balls faced when the batter reached 100, not the total balls in the completed innings. Historical team names follow the match record.

Who Has the Fastest Century in IPL History?

Chris Gayle is the leader with a 30-ball century. His 175* off 66 balls against Pune Warriors remains one of the league’s most striking single-innings records. The milestone came on 23 April 2013 at Bengaluru, and the scorecard records the hundred at 30 balls.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is the closest challenger in this table. He made 101 off 35 balls for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans in 2025. One year later, he added a 103 off 36 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Those two innings make him the only player with two entries inside the first three ranks here.

What Does “Fastest Century” Mean in the IPL?

It means the fewest balls a batter used to reach 100 in one IPL innings. It is different from the total balls in the finished score. For example, Gayle reached 100 in 30 balls but finished on 175 from 66. That is why this record is a milestone-speed list, not a strike-rate list.

Useful Patterns in the Fastest IPL Hundreds

The top of the list includes both successful chases and large first-innings totals. Gayle’s 2013 hundred came in a 263/5 total for RCB. Sooryavanshi’s 2025 century arrived while Rajasthan Royals chased 210, while David Miller’s 38-ball hundred powered Kings XI Punjab through a chase of 191.

Ties matter in a short list. Yusuf Pathan and Heinrich Klaasen both reached 100 in 37 balls, so both are rank 4. Travis Head and Priyansh Arya share rank 7 at 39 balls. The next ranks are 6 and 9, not 5 and 8, because competition ranking leaves the tied positions in place.

The 2026 season added Sooryavanshi’s 36-ball entry. The table includes completed IPL matches through 31 May 2026.

FAQs

Who Scored the Fastest 100 in the IPL?

Chris Gayle scored the fastest IPL hundred. He reached the milestone in 30 balls for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in 2013.

Who Is Second on the Fastest IPL Century List?

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is second after his 35-ball century for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans on 28 April 2025.

Has Anyone Matched Chris Gayle’s 30-Ball IPL Century?

No. The next fastest entry in the verified table is Sooryavanshi’s 35-ball century, five balls slower.

Why Are Ranks 5 and 8 Missing?

Two innings share rank 4 and two share rank 7. Competition ranking therefore moves the next positions to 6 and 9; the first 10 ranked entries still contain 10 innings.

Does the List Use the Final Innings Balls?

No. It uses the balls faced at the moment the batter reached 100. A batter can take more balls after the milestone, as Gayle did in his 175* off 66.