Fastest centuries for India in ODI World Cup history

*The Indian batting stars have been stamping their class with the world’s elite during the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 tournament. Virat Kohli ended the league phase stages at the top with 594 runs. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma scored 500 runs yet again in the World Tournament as well as an enviable strike rate of 122. 

Over the years many Indian batters have left their stamp in the history of the ODI World Cup tournament. Only a few Indian batters though have managed to blitz their way to a quick-fire century.

In this list let us take a closer look at the fastest centuries for India in ODI World Cup history. 

Virat Kohli – versus Bangladesh in 83 Balls – 2011 ODI World Cup

The Indian team opened their 2011 World Cup campaign with a game against Bangladesh. A very young Virat Kohli was making his first appearance in the ODI World Cup stage and marked with a fine century. Then aged just 22 years old, Virat Kohli reached the mark in just 83 balls as India scored an imposing 373 runs from their 50 overs. 

Virender Sehwag – versus Bermuda in 81 Balls – 2007 ODI World Cup

The 2007 ODI World Cup is still considered the biggest heart-braking moment in the annals of Indian cricket. India had to beat Namibia to keep their hopes alive after shockingly losing the first game to Bangladesh in Trinidad.

Virender Sehwag tore the Bermuda bowling attack as he scored the then-fastest century by an Indian batter in ODI World Cup history. This knock along with half-centuries by Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, and Yuvraj Singh helped India post 413 runs on the board.

Rohit Sharma – versus Afghanistan in 63 Balls – 2023 ODI World Cup  

Batting first Afghanistan had managed to post 272/8 from their 50 overs. Hasmatullah Shahidi top scored with 80 while Azmatullah Omarzai scored 62 as Jasprit Bumrah picked 4 wickets for India. 

Chasing 273 to win, Rohit Sharma went after the Afghanistan bowlers to score the fastest ton by an Indian batter in ODI World Cup history from just 63 balls. Rohit Sharma was out for 131 off 84 balls with the help of 16 fours and 5 sixes.

KL Rahul – versus the Netherlands in 62 Balls – 2023 ODI World Cup

Indian wicket-keeper and batter KL Rahul was batting on 89 runs from 60 balls when the final of the innings began. The 31-year-old hit two sixes to reach a terrific ton which made him the fastest century maker for India in ODI World Cup history. 

Thanks to this century and 128 not out from Shreyas Iyer, India posted 410 on the board and went on to win the game by 160 runs in Bengaluru.