Tilak Varma became the latest entrant in the list of fastest T20I centuries for India as he smashed a hundred off only 41 deliveries.
Tilak Varma etched his name in the record books today with a scintillating display of power hitting in the final T20I of the four-match series against South Africa in Johannesburg. He also scored a century in the last match after his promotion to No.3 in the batting lineup, which is clearly working wonders for him.
Tilak’s innings not only helped India post a mammoth total but also demonstrated his ability to play match-winning knocks on the big stage. He became the third-fastest Indian to reach three figures in T20Is, just behind Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball effort and Sanju Samson’s 40-ball masterclass, while leaving behind a host of established names.
Let’s take a look at some of the fastest T20I centuries scored by Indian players.
In December 2017, Rohit Sharma obliterated the Sri Lankan bowling attack in Indore to set the record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian. Rohit, known for his ability to switch gears effortlessly, was in sublime form as he smashed 12 fours and 10 sixes to race to 118 off 43 balls. His century, achieved in just 35 deliveries, powered India to a colossal total of 260-5. Sri Lanka, in response, was never in the chase and fell short by 88 runs. Rohit’s blistering knock remains unmatched in Indian cricket, and his ability to destroy bowling attacks on his day has made him one of the most feared openers in the world.
Samson’s innings today in Hyderabad was nothing short of spectacular. Opening the batting alongside Abhishek Sharma, Samson showcased his wide range of strokes, punishing the Bangladesh bowlers with sheer power and finesse. After two quiet games, Samson unleashed his fury, hitting five consecutive sixes off leg-spinner Rishad Hossain in one over. He brought up his maiden T20I hundred in just 40 balls, smashing Mahedi Hasan for a boundary down the ground to reach the landmark.
Samson’s knock couldn’t have come at a better time, as India was looking to complete a whitewash in the series with a dominant performance. He was ultimately dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman for 111 off 47 deliveries but his ability to find the boundary at will and his excellent running between the wickets ensured that the Bangladesh bowlers had no respite. With this innings, Samson not only cemented his place in the Indian team but also signaled his intent to be a mainstay in the shorter formats.
Tilak Varma Smashes Third Fastest Century by an Indian Batter in Historic Knock
Tilak Varma delivered a scintillating display of power-hitting at The Wanderers in Johannesburg on November 15, 2024, smashing an unbeaten 120 off just 47 balls against South Africa in the fourth T20I. His century, reached in a blistering 41 balls, is the third-fastest by an Indian batter in T20Is, marking a remarkable back-to-back milestone following his century in the previous match.
Tilak’s innings, laced with nine fours and 10 towering sixes, propelled India to a record-breaking total of 283/1, one of the highest in T20I history. He forged an explosive 210-run unbeaten partnership with Sanju Samson, who contributed an equally impressive 109* off 56 deliveries. Samson’s innings featured 6 fours and 9 sixes, complementing Tilak’s dominance.
The duo’s breathtaking partnership left the South African bowlers helpless and put India in a commanding position in the series, further cementing Tilak’s rise as a star of the format.
Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20I star, is known for his unorthodox shots and ability to dominate bowlers from ball one. In the series against Sri Lanka in 2023, Yadav once again showed why he is one of the most exciting players in the format. Coming in at No. 3, he bludgeoned his way to an unbeaten 112 off just 45 balls, including nine towering sixes. His inventive stroke play, which included scoops, reverse sweeps, and powerful drives, left the Sri Lankan bowlers helpless.
What stood out during this knock was Yadav’s sheer confidence and his ability to find gaps effortlessly. He reached his century in 45 balls, making it the third-fastest by an Indian at the time. India went on to win the game by a massive margin, with Yadav’s innings being the standout performance.
KL Rahul’s century against the West Indies in 2016 may have come in a losing cause, but it remains one of the most memorable T20I knocks by an Indian. Chasing a mammoth 246, Rahul played an extraordinary innings, scoring 110 not out from just 46 balls. His knock was laced with 12 fours and 5 sixes, and he looked set to guide India to victory, but the team fell agonizingly short by just one run.
Rahul’s innings came against a world-class West Indies bowling attack featuring the likes of Andre Russell and Sunil Narine. Despite the loss, Rahul’s knock was hailed for its precision and aggression, making him one of India’s most dependable batters in the format at the time.
Another young talent who has made a name for himself in T20 cricket, Abhishek Sharma, equaled KL Rahul’s record for the third-fastest T20I century by an Indian. Playing in only his second match for India, the IPL star smashed a 46-ball hundred against Zimbabwe in 2024, signaling his arrival on the international stage. His innings, which featured eight sixes, was a remarkable display of power hitting as India cruised to a dominant win.
Coming in after a debut duck in his first game, Sharma was under pressure to perform, but he responded in style, playing with freedom and confidence. His ability to clear the ropes with ease and take on bowlers from the word go makes him a player to watch out for in the future.
Suryakumar Yadav features again on this list, this time for his heroic knock against England during India’s tour in 2022. Chasing 216, Yadav played a lone hand for India, scoring 117 off 48 balls, while the rest of the team struggled to get going. His knock included 14 fours and 6 sixes, but despite his valiant effort, India fell short by 17 runs.
Yadav’s knock, however, remains one of the finest T20I innings by an Indian, as he almost single-handedly kept India in the game. His ability to manipulate the field and score runs all around the ground made this innings stand out, even in a losing cause.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, one of India’s brightest young talents, made headlines with his 48-ball century against Nepal in the 2023 Asian Games. Jaiswal, who has impressed across formats, took on the Nepalese bowlers with ease, scoring 100 in a game where no other batter managed to cross fifty. His knock was the defining factor in India’s victory, as they went on to win the game by 23 runs.
Jaiswal’s ability to rise to the occasion on the big stage and play impactful innings has made him a key player in India’s plans for the future. His century against Nepal was yet another reminder of his immense potential.
In the aftermath of India’s disappointing T20 World Cup semi-final loss in 2022, Suryakumar Yadav put on a show against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui. His 49-ball century, which included 11 fours and 7 sixes, was a masterclass in T20 batting. Yadav’s unbeaten 111 helped India post a commanding total, and they went on to win the match comfortably.
Yadav’s consistency in T20I cricket, especially during this period, earned him widespread acclaim. His ability to score at a rapid rate while maintaining composure is what sets him apart as one of the best T20I batters in the world.
As India continues to dominate the shortest format of the game, the list of centurions will likely grow. With players like Samson, Yadav, and Jaiswal leading the charge, Indian cricket fans can expect more fireworks in the years to come.
