Rishabh Pant outpaces Urvil Patel: Top 5 fastest centuries in T20 cricket

Patel's blistering knock propelled Gujarat to chase down a target of 156 in a mere 10.2 overs. He finished unbeaten on a sensational 113 off just 35 balls, smashing seven boundaries and clearing the ropes a staggering 12 times. The talented opener displayed his versatility by hitting sixes all around the ground - over the covers, down the ground, over midwicket, and to square leg. It was a power-packed innings that showcased Patel's exceptional talent and ability to dominate the opposition.

The 26-year-old’s took Tripura captain Mandeep Singh to the cleaners, by clobbering 24 runs off just five balls. Interestingly, exactly a year ago, he had smashed a 41-ball century in the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy, placing him second in the list of fastest List A hundreds by Indians, behind Yusuf Pathan's record of 40 balls.

Before Patel’s heroics, the record for the fastest T20 century by an Indian was held by Rishabh Pant, who had achieved the milestone in 32 balls during a match for Delhi against Himachal Pradesh in the 2018 SMAT. In the list of fastest hundreds in T20s, Pant is placed fourth.

At the top of the fastest T20 centuries list is Sahil Chauhan, who created history with a 27-ball century for Estonia against Cyprus at Episkopi, Cyprus in June 2024.

No list of T20 milestones would be complete without Chris Gayle. His 30-ball century for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against Pune Warriors in the IPL 2013 remains one of the most iconic innings in T20 history. Batting in Bangalore, Gayle smashed a record-breaking 175 not out off 66 balls, an innings studded with 13 fours and 17 sixes. This knock puts Gayle in the third spot of the fastest T20 centuries list.

The fifth entry on the list is WJ Lubbe, who batting at No.3 struck a 33-ball century for North West against Limpopo in the 2018 Africa T20 Cup at Paarl, South Africa.