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In recent years, One-Day International (ODI) cricket has seen tremendous change. The typical fight between bat and ball has experienced a significant change, with the bat frequently taking the lead. This evolution may be linked to several causes, including the introduction of T20 cricket and the frequent use of unconventional strokes by batsmen. Modern hitters are less concerned with going out and more concerned with clearing the boundary ropes with their strong swings. A scorching century in the ICC Cricket World Cup captures the heart of the game in the midst of these shifting dynamics. In this article, we will look at the top 12 fastest centuries in World Cup cricket history.
12 Fastest Centuries in the History of ICC Cricket World Cup
| Players Name | Against | Balls taken to score 100 |
| Glenn Maxwell | Netherlands | 40 |
| Aiden Markram | Sri Lanka | 49 |
| Kevin O’Brien | England | 50 |
| Glenn Maxwell | Sri Lanka | 51 |
| AB de Villiers | West indies | 52 |
| Eoin Morgan | Afghanistan | 57 |
| Travis Head | New Zealand | 59 |
| Heinrich Klaasen | England | 61 |
| KL Rahul | Netherlands | 62 |
| Fakhar Zaman | New Zealand | 63 |
| Rohit Sharma | Afghanistan | 63 |
| Kusal Mendis | Pakistan | 65 |
Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell of Australia made a thrilling milestone by being the World Cup’s quickest batter to get a century. He broke Aiden Markram’s previous record for the quickest century on the same course just a few weeks before. Maxwell’s incredible achievement occurred during a match against the Netherlands, during which he exhibited an outstanding performance. In just 44 balls, he scored 106 runs, including nine boundaries and eight sixes.
Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram of South Africa set a record by reaching his century in 49 balls at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, surpassing Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien. His inning was a work of art in terms of timing, power, and attitude. South Africa’s innings were supported by Markram’s century, which helped them reach an intimidating total of 428. Because of this incredible achievement, the right-hander was able to perform in any situation.
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Kevin O’Brien
Kevin O’Brien’s century against England in the 2011 Cricket World Cup remained one of the tournament’s most memorable events. Ireland, chasing a massive 328-run goal, was in a poor situation at 106/4. Then came O’Brien, who smashed his way to a century in just 50 balls. His courageous hitting resulted in 13 boundaries and six sixes, propelling Ireland to a historic triumph. This inning not only achieved a great triumph, but it also demonstrated Irish cricket’s giant-killing ability.
Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell’s century against Sri Lanka was one of the World Cup’s highlights. Maxwell demolished Sri Lanka’s bowling attack in 51 balls with a variety of reverse sweeps, switch-hits, and lofted strokes. His century exemplified his adaptability as a batter, demonstrating his ability to adjust to any scenario. This knock was crucial to Australia’s victory in that tournament.
AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers, known for his unconventional and creative strokes, played a gem of an innings against the West Indies during the 2015 Cricket World Cup. In a high-pressure contest, de Villiers scored his century in just 52 balls, cleaning up the Windies bowlers. His inning was a masterful blend of sheer force and exquisite delicacy. AB’s superb batting awed cricket fans and experts alike, and his century was critical to South Africa’s triumph. AB de Villiers scored the quickest 150 from 68 deliveries in this inning.
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Eoin Morgan
On June 18, 2019, at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Eoin Morgan, the captain of the England cricket team, produced an extraordinary performance against Afghanistan. England batted first, and Eoin Morgan walked into bat at number four. His innings were characterized by audacious stroke play and aggressive intent. Morgan, along with his batting partner Joe Root, set about dismantling the Afghan bowling attack. Morgan’s century came in just 57 balls, making it one of the fastest centuries of the tournament. His innings included an array of impressive shots, including powerful drives, innovative scoops, and towering sixes. Morgan’s ability to adapt to different bowlers and conditions was on full display as he consistently found gaps and cleared the boundaries. He finished with 148 runs off 71 balls, including 17 fours and 4 sixes. This inning was a testament to his leadership and his role as a captain who led by example.
Travis Head
In the ODI World Cup 2023 match against New Zealand in Dharamsala, Travis Head showcased a remarkable performance by scoring a century in just 59 deliveries. This achievement marked the third-fastest century by an Australian batsman in World Cup history. Head, who made his World Cup debut after recovering from an injury, reached the 50-run mark in an impressive 25 deliveries, securing the fastest half-century of the 2023 World Cup. Teaming up with David Warner, Head contributed to a formidable partnership, adding 118 runs during the PowerPlay phase. This collaboration resulted in the highest World Cup score in the opening 10 overs.
Heinrich Klaasen
Heinrich Klaasen smashed England’s bowlers in Mumbai for his fourth ODI century and his first in ICC World Cup. Klaasen entered the match after South Africa had lost Reeza Hendricks, who had set the tone for the team with an aggressive 85 off 75 balls. The South African hitter combined with Aiden Markram in the middle to score 69 runs. His colleague Aiden Markram’s 49-ball century against Sri Lanka earlier this month is the second quickest in tournament history.
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KL Rahul
KL Rahul etched his name in history by achieving India’s fastest century in the ICC Cricket World Cup. This milestone was reached during the World Cup 2023 match against the Netherlands at his home ground, M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Notably, Rahul joined the ranks of Rahul Dravid as the second Indian wicketkeeper-batsman to achieve a century in a World Cup match. In this feat, he surpassed the previous record held by Rohit Sharma, who had scored a century in 63 deliveries against Afghanistan earlier in the tournament.
Fakhar Zaman
During a crucial must-win match against New Zealand in Bengaluru in 2023, Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman created history by achieving the fastest century by a Pakistani batsman in the ODI World Cup. Zaman reached his hundred in the 20th over of Pakistan’s challenging 402-run chase, taking only 63 balls to achieve this remarkable milestone.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma blasted a World Cup record seventh century as India cruised to an eight-wicket victory against Afghanistan. With 15 overs left, the tournament hosts comfortably achieved their 273-run target thanks to the captain of India’s 131 off 84 balls, which included 16 fours and five sixes. The 36-year-old also set a World Cup record for the quickest century by an Indian player, reaching three figures in 63 balls.
Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis of Sri Lanka has broken Kumar Sangakkara’s record for the fastest century by a Sri Lankan in the history of ODI World Cups. At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, Mendis got a century off of 65 balls against Pakistan. Mendis hit a century to help Sri Lanka get off to a fast start in their second match of the current ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Mendis blasted 122 runs off 71 deliveries against Pakistan on Tuesday, slamming 14 boundaries and six maximums. Additionally, in an ODI World Cup match against Pakistan, he became the first batsman from Sri Lanka to score a century.
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