Top 5 players with fastest hundreds against India in ODIs ft. Rahmanullah Gurbaz

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India have traditionally possessed some of the strongest bowling attacks in world cricket, making centuries against them a prized achievement. However, a handful of batters have not only reached three figures against the Men in Blue but have done so at a remarkable pace, putting immense pressure on the bowlers from the very beginning.

Over the years, several explosive innings have changed the course of matches against India. Recently, Afghanistan batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a blistering knock against India in Dharamsala. Batters like him have showcased fearless intent and extraordinary power-hitting.

ODI cricket has witnessed numerous memorable knocks against India, but some innings stand out for the sheer pace at which they were compiled. These blistering hundreds left bowlers searching for answers and spectators in awe of the power-hitting on display. Here is a look at the five fastest ODI centuries scored against India by balls faced.

1. Shahid Afridi – 45 balls, Kanpur, 2005

Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi holds the record for the fastest ODI century against India. The swashbuckling opener reached the landmark in just 45 deliveries during the sixth ODI of the 2005 series at Green Park in Kanpur.

Afridi unleashed a relentless assault on the Indian bowling attack, smashing 102 runs from only 46 balls. His innings included ten fours and nine sixes as Pakistan comfortably chased down a target of 250 with plenty of overs to spare. The knock remains one of the most destructive innings ever played against India in ODI cricket.

2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 48, Dharamsala, 2026

Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Gurbaz occupies the second spot on this elite list following his sensational innings in Dharamsala in 2026. After Afghanistan slipped to 26/3 inside five overs, Gurbaz launched a breathtaking counterattack to rescue his side.

The aggressive opener brought up his century in just 48 deliveries before eventually scoring 102 off 51 balls. His innings featured powerful strokeplay all around the ground and also became the fastest ODI hundred by an Afghanistan batter. Despite Afghanistan suffering a collapse later in the innings, Gurbaz’s knock stood out as one of the finest attacking displays against India.

3. James Faulkner – 57, Bengaluru, 2013

The Australian all-rounder James Faulkner produced one of the greatest ODI chases against India during the seventh ODI in Bengaluru in 2013. Walking in under pressure, Faulkner completely transformed the game with a fearless display of hitting.

He raced to his century in just 57 balls and finished unbeaten on 116 from 73 deliveries. His extraordinary innings turned an unlikely chase into a memorable Australian victory and remains one of the best finishing acts seen in ODI cricket.

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4. AB de Villiers – 57, Mumbai, 2015

The next player on this list is South African legend AB de Villiers, who once again demonstrated why he was regarded as one of the most innovative batters in cricket history. During the fifth ODI at the Wankhede Stadium in 2015, de Villiers dismantled the Indian attack with remarkable ease.

The Proteas superstar reached his hundred in 57 deliveries and eventually blasted 119 runs from just 61 balls. Featuring 11 sixes and three boundaries, his innings powered South Africa to a mammoth total of 438 and played a key role in a dominant victory.

5. Michael Bracewell – 57, Hyderabad, 2023

New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell produced a sensational innings in Hyderabad during a daunting chase of 350 in 2023. Arriving at the crease with his team in deep trouble, Bracewell launched a stunning counterattack that almost pulled off the impossible.

He brought up his century in just 57 balls and finished with a remarkable 140 from 78 deliveries, including 12 fours and 10 sixes. Although New Zealand narrowly fell short, Bracewell’s heroic knock transformed the contest into a thriller and remains one of the greatest centuries scored against India in a losing cause.

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