Fastest Hundred in World Cup: Know which batter tops the charts

South Africa’s Aiden Markram holds the record for scoring the fastest hundred in the World Cup.

The World Cup is considered the most prestigious cricket tournament and has a rich five-decade history. Only six teams have ever won the title, and the 2023 World Cup will see another amazing clash between the top 10 cricket teams in the world.

In terms of explosive batting and intensity, World Cup matches can sometimes outshine T20 games. Scoring centuries are part and parcel of the World Cup, but a rapid hundred is uncommon.

Smashing a World Cup hundred can be challenging for some players. But not everyone is cut from the same cloth and excel in such situations.

A few of the swashbuckling batters like AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, and Eoin Morgan, who are known for their quickfire batting, have smashed some of the fastest hundreds in the tournament’s history.

Meanwhile, India’s Rohit Sharma was the latest to join the list of fastest World Cup hundreds after a blitzkrieg ton against Afghanistan in the 2023 edition of the tournament.

Here’s a look at the top ten fastest hundreds in the World Cup.

Fastest hundred in World Cup

Aiden Markram vs Sri Lanka (49 balls)

South Africa’s middle-order batter, Aiden Markram holds the record for scoring the fastest hundred in the World Cup.

The Protea batter smashed the fastest ton in 49 balls against Sri Lanka in the World Cup 2023. His quick-fire century included 14 fours and three sixes which helped South Africa propel to 428/5 in 50 overs.

South African bowlers defended the mammoth total as the Sri Lankans were bundled out for 326 runs. 

Kevin O’Brien vs England (50 balls)

Ireland all-rounder Kevin O’Brien amassed a World Cup century in 50 balls against England in World Cup 2011. He scored the fastest ton by an Irish batter in World Cup history.

His iconic 63-ball 113 included 13 fours and six maximums which reigned supreme at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. 

Ireland stunned England by three wickets as O’Brien’s ton served them the highest World Cup run chase with four balls to spare. Their monumental win against the English became a famous chapter in Irish sport. 

Glenn Maxwell vs Sri Lanka (51 balls)

In the World Cup 2015, Glenn Maxwell scored a hundred in 51 balls against Sri Lanka. Maxwell registered the fastest century by an Australian batter in the World Cup.

The Aussie all-rounder smashed 10 fours and four sixes at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Maxwell's first ODI hundred missed the record for the fastest World Cup hundred by a few balls but took Australia to 376.

Aussie pacers shared eight wickets among themselves to restrict Sri Lanka to 312 runs and registered a comfortable 64-run win.

Photo credit: Alamy