Since the inception of the T20 World Cup, many of the best batters have featured in this tournament. However, it is very hard for the batter to reach the 100-figure mark in the shortest format of the game. But still, there are a few batsmen who have done some impossible things in cricket.
A total of seven editions have been played so far of the T20 World Cup. But it has happened only 10 times since a batter has crossed the 100-run mark. The 2009 World Cup didn’t see any centuries, while only 2010 and 2014 saw two batters reach centuries. So let’s check the list of the batters with hundreds in the T20 World Cup.
3. Brendon McCullum (1 century) in 2012 World Cup against Bangladesh
Brendon McCullum (1 century) in the 2012 World Cup against Bangladesh. He played an unbelievable innings of 123* off 58 balls, including 11 boundaries and seven sixes at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy. He reached the 100-run mark off just 51 balls. His innings of 123* runs is still the highest ever score by any batsman in the history of the World Cup.
He is third on the list, equaling with the other six batters with one century each. Batting first, the Black Caps made 191/3 in that match. Chasing the target, Bangladesh could only manage 132/8 and lost the game by 59 runs. McCullum won the “Man of the Match” award for his brilliant century.
2. Suresh Raina (1 century) in 2010 World Cup against South Africa
The next on the list is the former Indian swashbuckling middle order batter, Suresh Raina. The left-hander became the only second batsman to score a century in the T20 World Cup. This knock came in the 5th match of the tournament between India and South Africa at Gros Islet. Batting first, India posted 186/5 in their 20 overs, courtesy of an excellent century from the left-hander.
Raina scored 101 off 60 balls, including nine fours and five maximums. Notably, he is the only Indian with a century in the T20 World Cup. With the help of his hundred, India won that match by 14 runs and Raina was named “Man of the Match” for his century.
1. Chris Gayle (2 centuries) in 2007 and 2016 World Cup
The “Universe Boss” is leading the chart for the most centuries in the history of the T20 World Cup. He is the only player with two hundred in the tournament’s history. Interestingly, he smashed his first century in the very first match of the inaugural edition of the World Cup against South Africa. He scored 117 runs off 57 balls, including seven fours and 10 sixes. West Indies lost that match, but Gayle was named MOM.
His second century came against England in the 10th match of the 2016 World Cup at Wankhede Stadium. Batting first, the English team gave the West Indies a target of 183 runs. Gayle remained unbeaten on 100* off just 48 balls to help her team win the match. He also hit five fours and 11 sixes in that match. This is also the fastest centuries in T20 World cup.
Players with Most centuries in T20 World Cup
Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Team | Against | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chris Gayle | 117 | 57 | 7 | 10 | West Indies | South Africa | 2007 |
Suresh Raina | 101 | 60 | 9 | 5 | India | South Africa | 2010 |
Mahela Jayawardene | 100 | 64 | 10 | 4 | Sri Lanka | Zimbabwe | 2010 |
Brendon McCullum | 123 | 58 | 11 | 7 | New Zealand | Bangladesh | 2012 |
Alex Hales | 116* | 64 | 11 | 6 | England | Sri Lanka | 2014 |
Ahmed Shehzad | 111* | 62 | 10 | 5 | Pakistan | Bangladesh | 2014 |
Tamim Iqbal | 103* | 63 | 10 | 5 | Bangladesh | Oman | 2016 |
Chris Gayle | 100* | 48 | 5 | 11 | West Indies | England | 2016 |
Jos Buttler | 101* | 67 | 6 | 6 | England | Sri Lanka | 2021 |
Rilee Rossouw | 109 | 56 | 7 | 8 | South Africa | Bangladesh | 2022 |