5 fastest centuries in the history of the IPL

A decade since its inception, the Indian Premier League today is the annual highlight of the cricketing calendar.

Cricket, especially Indian cricket, has never been the same since the emergence of the T20 league. Players from all over the world come together to provide a breathtaking display of cricket for two months, which keeps the fans on the edge of their seats.

The eleventh season of the IPL is just days away and this season promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Over the years, the IPL has seen 47 centuries being hit in total with Royal Challengers Bangalore leading the way with 12 centuries of their own. As we gear up for two months of great cricketing action let us have a look at the players who have scored the quickest tons in the history of the IPL -

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#5 AB de Villiers – 43 Deliveries

One of the most talented players ever to walk out on the cricket field, Abraham Benjamin de Villiers is perhaps the most exciting batsman in world cricket when in full flow. He can take apart any bowling line-up in the world with his breathtaking display of stroke play. His ability to play shots all-round the wicket has earned him the nickname of Mr. 360 - there is no corner of the cricket field where he cannot smash the ball.

Ever since he joined the RCB set-up he has been a mainstay of their batting unit. He, along with Virat Kohli has provided us with some magnificent partnerships in the IPL over the years - something the RCB fans will be looking forward to this season as well.

In terms of centuries, he has scored three of them in the IPL. His fastest century came against the Gujarat Lions in the year 2016. He came in to bat after Gayle was dismissed cheaply and he along with Kohli, he starred in a record 229 run partnership which enabled Bangalore to reach a mammoth total of 248.

AB's innings was studded with 10 fours and 12 sixes as he carted the bowlers to all parts of the ground. He brought up his hundred of just 43 deliveries, which puts him at the number 5 position on this list.

#4 Adam Gilchrist – 42 Deliveries

Adam Gilchrist led the Deccan Chargers to the IPL trophy in 2009.

Adam Gilchrist or Gilly as he is popularly known as was an integral part of the dominant Australian team of the last decade. Tall and powerful, he revolutionized the role of a wicketkeeper in cricket.

Before Gilchrist, wicketkeepers were expected to be solid behind the stumps and chip in with runs whenever possible. However, Gilly with his ferocious display of batting changed that notion as he transformed himself into a wicket-keeper-batsman and inspired the next generation of wicketkeepers to follow his footsteps and emulate his game.

In the IPL, he was one of the costliest players in the first edition of the IPL as he was bought by the Deccan Chargers for a whopping price of $765,000. Things, however, did not go according to plan for the Chargers as they finished at the bottom of the table with just two wins from fourteen matches.

The only saving grace was a scintillating performance against the Mumbai Indians when the Chargers led by Gilchrist chased down a target of 154 in just 12 overs. He smashed the bowlers to all parts of the ground en route to his hundred which came off just 42 deliveries. He hit ten sixes and nine fours as he outscored his partner VVS Laxman 109 to 37 - such was his domination.

#3 David Miller - 38 deliveries

Miller is one of the cleanest hitters in the history of the IPL.

This hard-hitting left-hander from South Africa has been an asset to his IPL team - the Kings XI Punjab for a number of years. As a middle-order batsman he can not only come in and control the innings but towards the end can also unleash his power makes him one of the most dangerous batsmen in world cricket.

Scorer of the fastest T20 international century off just 35 balls, Miller made the phrase, 'If it's in the arc, it's out the park' famous - something that he regularly does on the cricket field.

Miller has been with the Kings XI Punjab since the 2012 season and he has seen many ups and downs with the franchise. He had his best seasons for Punjab from 2013 to 2015 which saw him being made captain in 2016. However, his sub-par performances saw him get sacked after six matches and he was even dropped from the playing XI.

His most memorable performance in the IPL came in 2013 when Miller smashed a 38 ball hundred to lead Punjab to an unbelievable victory over RCB. Miller walked out to the middle at the score of 4/64 with over 130 runs needed off the last 10 overs. Miller then went on a rampage as he smashed 8 fours and 7 huge sixes to bring up his hundred and take Punjab to a famous victory.

#2 Yusuf Pathan - 37 deliveries

Yusuf Pathan was a find of the IPL

Older brother of the more famous Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan has made a name for himself with his hard-hitting and destructive style of batting. His uncanny ability to clear the ropes along with his off-spin make him a perfect pick for the shorter formats of the game.

He was an important part of the Rajasthan Royals lineup that won the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008. His IPL record is very impressive - in 139 innings, he has scored 2847 runs at a strike rate of 146.30 with one hundred and thirteen fifties. He scored his solitary century in the IPL in 2010 which was the fastest century in the IPL at that time and remained so for two more seasons.

Pathan’s team Rajasthan Royals were taking on Mumbai Indians at the Brabourne Stadium. Chasing a target of 213 set by Mumbai, Rajasthan were tottering 66/4 before Yusuf Pathan walked in and played what was the most destructive innings of his career. He brought up his century of just 37 deliveries - an innings, which was studded with eight sixes and nine fours. However, Pathan was left distraught at the end as his team fell short by just four runs in the end.

#1 Chris Gayle - 30 deliveries

Chris Gayle has scored the fastest century in the history of the IPL.

Chris Gayle at his best is perhaps the most devastating and destructive batsman in the history of T20 cricket. He, along with contemporary opening batsmen like Sehwag, McCullum and Dilshan revolutionized modern day cricket - relying on terrific hand-eye coordination to hit even the good length deliveries out of the park. A powerful batsman who can turn the tide of any match in a matter of overs, he is a prized commodity in all the T20 leagues around the world.

Chris Gayle made a fairy-tale return to the IPL in 2011 when, after being left unsold at the auction, he was bought by RCB as a replacement for the injured Dirk Nannes and since then there has been no looking back. Over the course of his IPL career, he has smashed 5 centuries and 21 fifties - a truly formidable record.

The fastest of his five centuries came in 2013 when smashed a record-breaking century against the Pune Warriors. His innings was studded with 13 fours and 17 sixes as he brought up his century of just 30 balls. He was finally dismissed for 175 - which till date is the highest individual score in a T20.