Anmolpreet Singh enters record books by slamming the third fastest List-A century

Punjab batter Anmolpreet Singh dazzled with the bat during a Group C fixture of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy (2024-25) against Arunachal Pradesh by smashing the third-fastest List-A ton. The swashbuckling batter achieved this remarkable feat in the space of just 35 balls. He now sits just below Jake Fraser-McGurk and AB de Villiers who took 29 & 31 deliveries respectively to smash a rapid-fire century.  

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Anmolpreet's blitzkrieg with the bat leaves Arunachal Pradesh gasping for breath

Following the early departure of Abhishek Sharma, Anmolpreet walked out to bat at number three with his side needing another 151 runs to win in the remaining 48.3 overs. Realizing that there was barely any pressure on him, the Punjab batter straightaway got into his work and launched a scathing attack on the Arunachal Pradesh bowlers. Their bowlers were left clueless as Anmolpreet unleashed his fireworks which lit up the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

It took him only 35 balls to get to his blazing century which featured 12 fours & nine sixes. Thanks to Anmolpreet's explosive batting performance, Punjab successfully chased down Arunachal Pradesh's paltry target of 165 runs in merely 12.5 overs, securing a massive nine-wicket victory. Anmolpreet remained unbeaten on 115 runs off 45 balls while his opening partner, Prabhsimran Singh, played a rather subdued role and remained not out as well, contributing a more measured 35 runs from 25 balls.

Previous fastest-century records

South African great Ab de Villiers previously held the record for slamming the fastest List-A century. He slammed a 44-ball 144 against West Indies in Johannesburg in January 2015 to become the fastest List-A centurion. In the process, he also managed to become the fastest ODI centurion of all time surpassing Corey Anderson's 100 (36) against West Indies in 2014. 

That record was preserved for several years before it was broken by Australia's Fraser-McGurk who scored a 29-ball hundred for South Australia against Tasmania in a losing effort in the 2023 Marsh Cup in October.