One Day International Cricket (ODI) has always created a lot of hype, excitement and several nail-biting moments. Since its introduction, limited-overs cricket has gone through many changes. Besides, the day-long cricket has become all the more intriguing since it was changed to a 50-over format.
Since the 1992 World Cup, the limited-overs format changed drastically and became fast-paced. Since then we have witnessed some high-quality performers who have set the field on fire with some electric performances.
In this piece, we are about to discuss batsmen who dominated the best bowling attacks during their playing days and batsmen who are grabbing the headlines with some blazing performances in the current era.
In this article, we will discuss batsmen who have hit centuries in less than 75 balls.
These batsmen will be remembered for some memorable centuries which are considered fastest in the history of limited-overs cricket (centuries in less than 75 balls). Their knocks will be etched in the minds of the fans forever.
We take a look at 5 Batsmen who’ve scored the fastest century in ODIs in less than 75 deliveries.
Shahid Afridi
The flamboyant Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi was a nightmare for every team during his playing days. The 40-year-old was known for his aggressive style of play and powerful hitting. “Boom Boom” Afridi as he was fondly known as would clear the boundaries easily with his clean and fearless hitting.
Afridi looked strong while hitting the ball straight. Known for hitting big sixes, Afridi wasn’t afraid of playing big shots with his cuts and pulls. Afridi scored six centuries in 398 matches and registered 8,064 runs in the limited-overs format. The Pakistani all-rounder has hit centuries in less than 75 balls four times in his 50-over career.
Afridi generated a lot of power from his forehands which helped him hit a good length delivery over extra cover.
Virender Sehwag
The “Nawab of Najafgarh” destroyed the best bowling attacks with his powerful and destructive style of play. The 42-year-old cut the ball powerfully and was equally strong while playing short-arm jabs. The former India opener would hit cracking cover drives with limited footwork which was just amazing.
Sehwag has played some brilliant knocks for team India in the past. Sehwag punched the ball well in the gaps with his powerful and elegant timing. Sehwag wasn’t afraid to play the big shots against the spinners which made it difficult for the opposition to stop him.
The “Sultan of Multan” as he was fondly called has also scored a double century in the 50-over format. Sehwag scored 15 centuries in 251 One day Internationals and registered 8273 runs in the limited over format. Sehwag has hit centuries in less than 75 balls six times in his limited-overs career.
Sanath Jayasuriya:
The former Sri-Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya has played many whirlwind knocks with his attacking batting. Jayasuriya has won many games single-handedly for his side which is why he is considered one of the most feared openers of all time.
Jayasuriya would demoralize any bowling attack with his devastating batting and changed the concept of batting in the limited-overs format since the 1996 World Cup.
The veteran would cut the ball powerfully over extra cover and used his bottom hand to good effect and dispatching the ball out of the ground with his powerful flicks.
Jayasuriya possessed great hand-eye co-ordination and would judge the length of a particular delivery quite well. Jayasuriya was a smart operator while running between the wickets. Jayasuriya would put the ball in the gaps with his elegant cover drives.
The “Matara Hurricane” as he was fondly called scored 28 centuries in 445 One day Internationals and registered 13430 runs in the limited-overs format. Jayasuriya has hit centuries in less than 75 balls five times in his limited-overs career.
Jos Butler:
Jos Butler is one of the most destructive hitters of modern-day cricket. The 29-year-old can tear apart any bowling attack with his powerful stroke play. The right-hander can accelerate the scoring quickly which can put pressure on the opposition.
Butler’s ability to hit the ball in the air can’t be undermined as the wicket-keeper batsman can hit a good length delivery out of the park. Butler can find the gaps easily with his cracking cover drives and powerful cuts.
Butler can accumulate runs quickly while chasing a big target which makes him a dangerous player lower down the order.
Butler can attack the spinners by charging down the wicket. Butler has scored nine centuries in 142 One day Internationals and has registered 3843 runs in the limited-overs format.
The England International has hit centuries in less than 75 balls seven times in his 50 over career.
AB De Villiers:
The former South-African skipper AB de Villiers was unstoppable when he got going. The 35-year-old was strong on both sides of the wicket and always batted with a resolute approach. De-Villiers was strong on the back foot as well as the front foot, cutting the ball brilliantly with his fast bat speed.
De Villiers had this great ability to change his style of play as per the match situation and as per the nature of the wicket. De Villiers batted with solid determination during pressure situations. De Villiers looked elegant while placing the ball in the gaps with his classic cover drives and neat wrist work.
De Villiers hit 25 centuries in 228 ODIs and registered 9577 runs in the 50 over format. The explosive has hit centuries in less than 75 balls nine times in his 50-over career.