Since its inception in 1975, the World Cup has witnessed some of the best actions in the history of cricket. There have been many centuries that have caught the attention of people and critics from around the world, and in this article, we will talk about the 'Top 10 fastest centuries in the World Cup', which have entertained the crowd a lot.
1. Aiden Markram
The South African batter Markram scored the fastest century against Sri Lanka in the ongoing 2023 World Cup. He scored the century off just 49 balls. He demolished the Sri Lankan bowlers and scored 106 runs in his knock, which consisted of 14 boundaries and six sixes. Due to his knock, South Africa scored 428 against Sri Lanka and won the game by a big margin of 102 runs.
2. Kevin O'Brien
In a match against England, Ireland was chasing 327 runs. Kevin O'Brien came at the crease in the 23rd over when Ireland lost their 4th wicket on just 106 runs, which later became 111/5. O’Brien took the English bowlers on remand and scored the then-fastest century of the World Cup in just 50 balls. His knock helped Ireland to cause a major upset in the World Cup. He made 113 of 63 balls and won the man of the match
3. Glenn Maxwell
Maxwell is well known for scoring quick runs, and in one such display of aggressive innings, he scored a century in just 51 balls against Sri Lanka in the 2015 World Cup. In his knock of 102, Maxwell scored ten boundaries and four sixes. It was Maxwell's first century in the ODI. It's also the fastest century by an Australian in the World Cup. He was part of Australia's World Cup winning squad, which won the 2015 World Cup.
4. AB de Villiers
The South African batting maestro has been one of the best batters in ODI cricket and has left his mark in the World Cup. In the 2015 WC, against West Indies AB de Villiers played a master class against West Indies, scoring 162 off just 66 deliveries. He created the record for the fastest 150 in the World Cup. He completed his century in just 52 balls and later scored 62 off his last 14 balls, playing shots all over the park.
5. Eoin Morgan
World Cup-winning Captain Morgan had a dream World Cup in 2019 as he not only won the World Cup but also scored 371 runs in 10 innings at an average of 41.22. The English captain was at his destructive best against Afghanistan in the 2019 World Cup. He scored the century in just 57 balls, and, went on to score 148 off just 71 deliveries, which included only four boundaries and 17 sixes. He took all Afghani bowlers on remand, especially Rashid Khan.
6. Rohit Sharma
Indian Captain and Opener Rohit Sharma displayed his hitting ability in the league stage game against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup. Rohit scored a Century in just 63 balls, which is the fastest for any Indian batter in the World Cup. In his knock, Rohit scored 131 off 84 balls, which included 5 sixes. Rohit has scored 1195 runs in the World Cup at an average of 66.39 and a strike rate over 100.
7. Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis scored a fine century against Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup. He completed his century in just 65 balls, which is the fastest for any Lankan batter in the World Cup. In his knock, Mendis scored 122 off just 77 deliveries, which included six sixes; however, his knock wasn't enough as Sri Lanka lost this match by six wickets.
8. Matthew Hayden
Former Australian opener Hayden was known for playing attacking cricket, and in one such inning against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup, he scored the century in just 66 deliveries. His knock included 14 boundaries and four sixes. This was one of the best knock played by Hayden. Hayden in the 2007 World Cup, scored 659 runs at an average of 73.22 and a strike rate over 100, which was one of the best batting performances in the World Cup.
9. John Davison
The Canadian player Davison scored a century against West Indies in the 2003 World Cup in just 67 deliveries. In his knock of 111 off just 76 deliveries, he scored eight boundaries and six sixes. However, his knock went in vain as no other batter supported him, and West Indies won the match by seven wickets. However, his knock made him popular among cricket fanatics.
10. Kumar Sangakkara
The former Wicketkeeper batter of Sri Lanka, Sangakkara was in red-hot form in the 2015 World Cup. He scored a century against England in just 70 balls in the 2015 World Cup. Sangakkara scored 117 off just 86 balls in a 310 chase, and due to his knock, they went on to win the match by nine wickets. Sangakkara scored 541 runs at an average of 108.2 and a strike rate of 105 in the 2015 World Cup.
