There’s no time to breathe in T20 cricket. Every ball matters. Every shot has purpose. And when a batter blazes to 100 in record time, it’s not just entertainment—it’s an assault on what we thought possible. The fastest T20 100 in international cricket isn’t just about big-hitting; it’s about audacity, instincts, and pure cricketing firepower.
T20 cricket flipped the batting manual on its head. Where once batters played themselves in, now they swing from ball one. A century in 20 overs was once a rare sight. Today, it’s a benchmark—expected even. But scoring it fast? That’s where the elite separate themselves — much like the high rollers at Kingmaker online casino, where bold moves and quick decisions often define who walks away a winner.
It’s the same bold energy we see in today’s gaming world—whether people are arguing about console vs. PC gaming, or Free Fire players are working hard to reach the top. The competition is growing everywhere. And just like India’s most popular mobile games keep players hooked, a super-fast century keeps cricket fans excited with every ball.
So here’s the question that fuels every quickfire century: What does it take to score 100 in fewer than 30 balls on the world stage?
The Evolution of T20 Batting Explosiveness
When the first T20 Internationals began in 2005, it felt more like a fun experiment than a serious format. But as soon as the crowd roared for those early sixes, the game changed. Suddenly, 50 was no longer the goal—batters aimed for the sky.
The early years saw quick knocks, sure, but they were calculated. Kevin Pietersen, Yuvraj Singh, and others showed flashes. But by the 2010s, it became clear—scoring fast wasn’t a risk anymore, it was the plan.
Fitness evolved. Bat speed increased. Gear got lighter, boundaries shorter. Batters like Glenn Maxwell, Chris Lynn, and Andre Russell turned games into demolition derbies. And yet, breaking the 100 mark in 35 balls or less? That remained sacred.
As of today, the fastest 100 in cricket T20 has pushed new limits, with Nepal’s Kushal Malla raising the bar by racing to a ton in just 34 balls. It’s not just about brute force. It’s about reading the field, anticipating the bowler, and trusting muscle memory under pressure.
This evolution isn’t over. It’s only getting faster. Fastest 100 runs in T20? It might hit the 30-ball mark next. Maybe even less.
Record-Breakers: Top 5 Fastest T20 Centuries in International Cricket
Let’s dive into the elite club—the ones who didn’t just bring fire, but rewrote the speed limit of cricket scoring.
1. Kushal Malla – 34 balls vs Mongolia (2023)
Nepal’s Kushal Malla stunned the cricket world in the Asian Games, blitzing 100 in just 34 balls. Playing against Mongolia, he found boundaries like they were magnets. He didn’t just beat records—he bulldozed them. The fastest T20 100 in international cricket belongs to this teenager.
2. David Miller – 35 balls vs Bangladesh (2017)
Known as “Killer Miller,” the South African southpaw tore into Bangladesh in Potchefstroom. A casual 35-ball hundred that made bowlers question life. Every shot felt timed from the sweet spot. Fastest 100 T20 was his until recently.
3. Rohit Sharma – 35 balls vs Sri Lanka (2017)
The “Hitman” went full throttle in Indore. Sri Lankan bowlers had no answer as Rohit combined elegance with brute force, reaching 100 in 35 deliveries. Pure poetry in destruction.
4. Sivakumar Periyalwar – 35 balls vs Turkey (2019)
In a lesser-known contest, Romania’s Periyalwar crushed Turkey with a blazing ton off just 35 balls. Associate cricket doesn’t get headlines, but this one carved its place in the records.
5. Sudesh Wickramasekara – 35 balls vs Turkey (2019)
On the same day, Czech Republic’s Sudesh went ballistic too. Also versus Turkey. Another 35-ball century, another moment proving fastest t20 100s can come from any corner of the world.
These knocks didn’t just chase runs—they annihilated any bowling plan.
Fastest T20 100s by Balls Faced
For the stat-lovers and cricket nerds, here’s the sharp, updated look at the numbers that matter.
| Rank | Player | Balls Faced | Score | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kushal Malla (Nepal) | 34 | 137* | Mongolia | Hangzhou | Sep 27, 2023 |
| 2 | David Miller (South Africa) | 35 | 101* | Bangladesh | Potchefstroom | Oct 29, 2017 |
| 3 | Rohit Sharma (India) | 35 | 118 | Sri Lanka | Indore | Dec 22, 2017 |
| 4 | Sivakumar Periyalwar (Romania) | 35 | 105 | Turkey | Ilfov County | Aug 29, 2019 |
| 5 | Sudesh Wickramasekara (Czech Republic) | 35 | 104* | Turkey | Ilfov County | Aug 30, 2019 |
All stats verified from ICC records and ESPNCricinfo data.
One for the Ages: The Science Behind a Lightning T20 Hundred
Smashing 100 in 35 balls or less isn’t just talent. It’s physics, psychology, and preparation colliding in perfect form.
Power-Hitting Zones
Elite batters train for precision. They know which pockets to target—deep midwicket, long-on, backward point. Hitting sixes isn’t random. It’s muscle memory under pressure.
Bowling Matchups
Every explosive knock has a trigger: bowlers out of rhythm. Batters exploit length, pace, or spin weaknesses. Facing second-string bowling or under-pressure attacks? That’s fuel for fire.
Ground Conditions
Shorter boundaries, flat decks, and low-pressure environments help. High-altitude grounds like Johannesburg boost ball travel. Lighter bats and smarter grips let players swing faster.
Intent is Everything
Modern players don’t wait. They swing from ball one, trusting their process. There’s no fear of failure—just clarity of execution.
Data-Driven Practice
Today’s hitters study everything: field placements, bowler patterns, even wind direction. Behind every fastest 100 in cricket T20, there’s hours of pre-planned assault.
It’s not just chaos. It’s a calculated storm.
Voices from the Game
“Scoring a T20 hundred in under 35 balls is like hitting a home run every pitch. You’ve got no room for hesitation.” — AB de Villiers, former South African captain and T20 legend
He’s not wrong. The margins are razor-thin. A mistimed shot, one quiet over—it all adds up. To reach a T20 century in that kind of time, the batter needs more than just clean striking. It demands total clarity of purpose.
Players who manage it talk about entering “the zone.” That place where noise fades, and the game slows down. It’s not about swinging blindly. It’s rhythm. Flow. Awareness. You see the ball early, and you trust your body to do the rest.
Pressure is relentless. You’re expected to go hard every ball. There’s no space for doubt. The field’s spread, bowlers mix it up, captains play mind games. One misstep, and the innings is over.
And still—some players thrive in that chaos. They don’t panic. They plan. These innings are born from discipline and fearless belief. To break the record for the fastest T20 100 in international cricket, you need guts, but also a brain firing in sync with your hands. That’s what makes it so rare. So special.
Unsung Heroes: Fastest T20 Centuries Outside the Spotlight
Big names often hog the headlines, but there’s an entire world of T20 brilliance away from the cameras and packed stadiums. Associate nations—teams not in cricket’s elite club—have produced some of the most explosive innings in T20I history. Let’s give those heroes their due.
Fast, Furious, and Under the Radar:
- Sivakumar Periyalwar (Romania) – 35 balls vs Turkey (2019)
A clinical assault that no one saw coming. Periyalwar tore apart the Turkish attack with brute precision, helping Romania post a mammoth score. No fuss, just carnage. - Sudesh Wickramasekara (Czech Republic) – 35 balls vs Turkey (2019)
Played the very next day on the same ground. Another gem. Sudesh smashed 104* and never looked troubled. Clean hitting, high intent—textbook example of modern T20 destruction. - Leslie Dunbar (Serbia) – 39 balls vs Bulgaria (2022)
Not the fastest 100 T20 ever, but close. Dunbar made it look effortless. Serbia’s cricket story may be just beginning, but innings like this show how quickly the game is growing. - Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (Namibia) – 33 balls, but not in a T20I
While not officially counted as an international T20 hundred, his feat deserves mention. It shows how T20 fastest 100 runs are no longer limited to Full Member nations.
These knocks underline something powerful: T20 has become the most democratic format in cricket. Every country, no matter how small, can produce match-winners. And if you blink, you might miss history being made.
Where Will the Limit Be Broken Next?
The ceiling keeps rising. What once felt impossible—scoring 100 in 40 balls—has become common. Now, the chase is for something even more outrageous. Could we see a sub-30-ball T20 international hundred in the next five years?
It’s not far-fetched. Batters are fitter, smarter, and more aggressive. Pitch conditions are improving for run-making. Boundaries are getting shorter in some venues. Add to that the mental shift—modern cricketers don’t fear failure anymore. They embrace the risk.
Franchise leagues like the IPL, BBL, and SA20 have become pressure cookers where players learn to thrive under the spotlight. The intensity is shaping a new breed of T20 batter—ones who can dismantle bowling line-ups from ball one.
So here’s the final question: Who will break the next barrier?
Will it be a young gun from Afghanistan? Or a seasoned pro from Australia on a flat pitch in Hobart?
Whatever the answer, one thing’s for sure—the record for the fastest 100 in cricket T20 won’t stand still for long.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who has the fastest 100 in international T20 cricket?
Kushal Malla of Nepal holds the record. He scored a stunning century off just 34 balls against Mongolia during the 2023 Asian Games.
2. How many players have scored a T20I 100 in under 40 balls?
Several, including David Miller (South Africa), Rohit Sharma (India), and Sivakumar Periyalwar (Romania). Each reached their ton in 35 balls.
3. What is the fastest 100 in cricket overall (including leagues)?
Chris Gayle smashed a hundred in 30 balls during an IPL match for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2013. It remains the fastest in all recognized cricket.
4. Which countries dominate the fastest T20 century list?
Traditional powerhouses like India and South Africa feature prominently. But associate nations—Nepal, Romania, Czech Republic—are also breaking records.
5. What factors help achieve a fast T20 hundred?
Batting intent, smart shot selection, short boundaries, flat pitches, and bowlers under pressure. The fastest T20 100 in international cricket is always a mix of planning and instinct.
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