World Cup 2023: Fastest Centuries in ODI World Cup History

There was an era when batters used to take some time before getting set on the pitch and aiming for a big score, especially in a grand event like ODI World Cup. But these days batters don’t waste too many balls before going for sixes and fours in an ODI match/ Although they do get help from fielding restrictions and other factors, quick scoring has indeed come a long way.

The aggressive batting stance has helped batters achieve quick-fire centuries in recent times. However, it’s a dream of every batter to score a hundred in the biggest cricket tournament - ODI World Cup. There are some players who achieved the milestone with the fewest deliveries possible so far.

Australian T20 Sensation, Glenn Maxwell is the latest entrant in the list, he has smashed the fastest century by any player in ODI World Cup reaching the milestone in just 40 balls. In the game against Netherlands in 2023, Maxwell smashed a 40 ball hundred after coming to crease at the end of  39th over. He took the bowlers to cleaners scoring 106 off 44 balls including 9 fours and eight maximums.

South Africa's T20 skipper Aiden Markram holds the record for smashing the second fastest hundred in an ODI World Cup. The explosive right-handed batter achieved the special feat in just 49 deliveries against Sri Lanka in Delhi in the ongoing 2023 edition. The No.four batter racked up 106 runs off just 54 with the help of 14 fours and three maximums. He finally broke a long-standing 12-year record of Ireland's Kevin O'Brien.

The 2011 ODI World Cup saw one of the biggest upsets in the history of the tournament when Ireland defeated England while chasing 327 runs. The hero of the match was former Irish allrounder Kevin O’Brien, who also comes at the no. 1 spot in the list of fastest centuries in the ODI World Cup. Kevin achieved the milestone in just 50 balls and scored 113 runs off 63 deliveries which included 13 fours and 6 sixes.

The 4th spot in the list is acquired by Australia’s star allrounder Glenn Maxwell who displayed a brilliant batting performance against Sri Lanka in the 2015 ODI World Cup. Maxwell smashed a 51-ball century in the 32nd match of the tournament which included 10 fours and 4 sixes. The magnificent knock of Maxwell came at the no. 5 position.

Former legendary South African batter AB de Villiers was known for his unique and aggressive batting style. The fans witnessed a fiery knock of De Villiers where he smashed a 52-ball century against West Indies in a group match. He scored 163 runs which included 17 fours and 8 sixes and helped the team cross the 400-run mark. It’d be interesting to see if any batter would be able to break these records in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023.

Fastest Centuries in World Cup:

*Last Updated on 19th November 2023