Mayank Agarwal joins IPL's fastest centuries list

NEW DELHI: Scoring a century in the T20 format is not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination. With most of the modern-era batters looking to hit the ball out of the park all the time, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to survive for a long time and go on to score a ton in the shortest format. The same is true for the Indian Premier League, where batsmen have always looked to play for the team rather than worrying about personal landmarks.
Getting to the three-figure mark in a short period of time is challenging. But there have been a few superhuman efforts from the batsmen in the tournament, where they have not only scored centuries, but also done it in double quick time, in turn benefiting their team in a big way.
Kings XI Punjab opener and rising Indian star Mayank Agarwal is the latest to join the elite list with a 45-ball century as he became the joint-sixth fastest to score an IPL ton along with the Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya.
TimesofIndia.com here takes a look at the fastest centuries scored in the IPL:
Chris Gayle (2013) - 30 balls

On April 23, 2013 the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, along with the rest of the world witnessed a carnage by Chris Gayle, as the Jamaican scored the fastest century ever in the IPL against Pune Warriors off just 30 balls. Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Gayle storm hit the stadium as the fans witnessed a power hitting masterclass from the left-hander. Without breaking a sweat, Gayle, in that match, mercilessly smacked the Pune bowlers all over the park, eventually finishing with a mind boggling 66-ball 175* -- the highest score by a batsman in the IPL and in T20 cricket. During his blitz, Gayle smashed 13 fours and 17 sixes at an astounding strike rate of over 266. In a 102-minute knock, the West Indian brought the opposition bowlers to their knees, as no one had any idea how to tackle the ruthless batting by the six hitting machine. Riding on that effort by Gayle, RCB scored 263/5 -- the highest ever team total in IPL. Stunned by the effort from Gayle, Pune Warriors just didn't know how to react in the mammoth run-chase and were eventually restricted to 133/9, handing RCB a 130-run win in that unforgettable match.
Yusuf Pathan (2010) - 37 balls

There have not been many instances in cricket's history when a mind-boggling effort from a batsman has gone in vain. In one such instance on March 13, 2010, a gutted Yusuf Pathan was left feeling all the weight of disappointments after his team, Rajasthan Royals lost the match by just four runs while in pursuit of the target of 213 set by Mumbai Indians. Even after scoring a breathtaking ton that came off just 37 balls, an unfortunate run out at the wrong juncture of the chase meant that despite the fantastic effort his team lost the nail-biter. But the knock from Yusuf won hearts all around, as his valiant effort made him an overnight sensation in the tournament. For three years, Yusuf held the record of the fastest IPL ton, before RCB's Chris Galye broke it in 2013. With 8 fours and 9 sixes, Yusuf in that match, struck the ball at a deadly strike rate of over 270, making the MI bowlers just fell helpless. The match remains one of the most dramatic clashes in IPL history.

David Miller (2013) - 38 balls

Arguably one of the most entertaining editions of the IPL was 2013, where the cricketing world witnessed a slew of records being broken and new ones made. From top-notch batting performances to nerve-wracking run chases and tense finishes, the 6th edition of the cricketing extravaganza witnessed it all. After a record-shattering 'Gayle storm' earlier in the season, the fans, a few days later, witnessed one of the most delightful T20 knocks ever played in a run-chase. And it was the dynamic South African batsman David Miller, who produced the sensational knock for Kings XI Punjab against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Chasing a daunting 191, Miller came in at no. 5 and produced the T20 knock of his life, hitting a 38-ball ton and winning the game for his team. From 95/4 after 13 overs, in the next 54-minutes 'Killer Miller' changed everything, hitting a flurry of boundaries that included 8 fours and 7 sixes. With a colossal strike rate of over 265, Miller left RCB shell-shocked, taking his team to a 6-wicket win with 12 balls to spare. With Miller on 95 and just 3 runs to win, the six from the left-hander to take his team across the finish-line and also reach a personal three-figure mark made the ton even more special.
Adam Gilchrist (2008) - 42 balls

For Australia's Adam Gilchrist, one of the most destructive top-order batsmen to have ever played the game, IPL was the ideal platform to showcase his superhuman batting skills. And Gilchrist didn't miss a chance to entertain the fans, as he played some of the most devastating knocks in the tournament. And the most ferocious of them all was his 42-ball ton that he struck for Deccan Chargers against Mumbai Indians on April 27, 2008. Chasing a tricky total of 155, Gilchrist produced a masterclass, leading his team to a phenomenal 10-wicket win. With VVS Laxman (37*) watching the 'Gilchrist Mayhem' from the other end, the left-hander took every MI bowler to the cleaners. With a total of 9 fours and 10 sixes, Gilchrist eventually went on to score an unbeaten 109 off 47 balls that came at a strike rate of over 231. Even after 12 editions of the tournament, Gilchrist's knock still stands fourth on the list of fastest centuries scored in the IPL.
AB de Villiers (2016) and David Warner (2017) - 43 balls

Two of the most devastating modern-day greats AB de Villiers and David Warner have been a class apart in the IPL. Even though hailing from foreign shores, the two batsmen, with their incredible batting skills have won the hearts of the Indian fans. Both de Villiers and Warner have played innumerable unfrogettable knocks over the years. But the most cherished knocks from De Villiers and Warner perhaps were scored in 2016 and 2017 respectively, when they scored a 43-ball century each for their teams. While De Villiers produced the masterclass against Gujarat Lions at their home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Warner achieved the feat against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad. During his unbeaten 52-ball 129, de Villiers hit 10 fours and 12 sixes at a strike rate of over 248 to set up an RCB win. On the other hand, Warner smoked 126 off 59 balls, including 10 fours and 8 sixes to blow away KKR. The two stars jointly stand fifth on the list of fastest centuries in the IPL.
Sanath Jayasuriya (2008) and Mayank Agarwal (2020) - 45 balls
(Pic Credit - BCCI/IPL)
The king of slam bang Jayasuriya did it in style in the inaugural edition of the IPL while representing Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Jayasuriya’s knock of 114 included 11 fours and 9 sixes. Rising star and Kings XI Punjab opener Mayank joined the stalwarts of T20 cricket by scoring his maiden IPL ton, blowing away Rajasthan Royals with his stupendous batting performance. His 45-ball sensational century knock was studded with 9 fours and 7 sixes. And he also got to the landmark with a fine boundary off Shreyas Gopal.