The 2025/26 edition of the Ashes begins on November 21 at the Optus Stadium in Perth, as the stadium, making its debut in 2018, will host its first-ever Ashes Test, having missed out on the chance in the last edition. There is an enticing excitement around the series, especially due to the project of Bazball, designed for the trip among the visitors, led by captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum.

Ahead of another chapter in the history book of the two teams, let’s take a look at the best batting performances in Ashes history, which is consisted of Don Bradman, Steve Smith, and others. It might not be the highest individual score of the rivalry, but it has been one of the best knocks regarding the situation and atmosphere of the game. 

Batting has never been an easy job in any of these two countries. In England, it's always a challenge in swinging conditions. Even if the batters get set, when the clouds roll over, the temparture goes down to live up the grass and create pressure on the batters. Meanwhile, in Australia, it's about the batters getting getting ready to the pace and bounce of the quick surfaces while the spinners come into play late on the fourth and fifth day. 

Let’s take a look at the top five batting performances in history of Ashes-

1. Don Bradman (Australia)

The former Australia captain, Don Bradman, was the most successful batter of the Ashes rivalry as the right-handed batter collected 5028 runs in 63 innings at an average of nearly 90 and a strike rate of 58.07 with the help of 19 centuries and 12 half-centuries at the best score of 334.

His highest score of 334 is the second-best individual score in Ashes history. That knock came in 1930 at Leeds in Headingley. The tourists batted first to post 566 runs in the first innings as Bill Woodfull’s 50 was the second-best knock of the scorecard after Bradman’s 334.

England were bundled out for 391 in the second innings and were forced to follow on, to which they gathered 95/3 as the game ended in a draw.

2. Steve Smith (Australia)

Smith sits as the third leading run-getter in the history of the Ashes with 3417 runs in 66 innings at an average of 56, scoring 12 centuries and 13 fifties at the best score of 239. He is just around 200 runs away from overtaking Jack Hobbs to claim the second spot on the list.

The Australian captain marked his return to the game after a one-year suspension in 2019 at Edgbaston. In the first innings, the visitors were cruising at 122/8 with Smith playing the lone hand. But he smashed a fine knock of 144 runs with 16 fours and two sixes before repeating the heroics in the second innings with 142, thanks to 14 boundaries.

3. Alastair Cook (England) 

Alastair Cook has a decent record in the history of the Ashes. The former England opening batter and the captain of the side, smashed 2493 runs in the red-ball format against Australia at an average of over 40 with the help of five centuries and 11 half-centuries at the best score of 244.

See Also: Ashes 2025-26 Update: If Pat Cummins Misses Out, These 3 Speedsters Could Step In (Including Michael Neser)

His best knock of 244 came during England’s trip down under in 2017. At the iconic MCG, the southpaw carried his bat for the hostile 409-ball innings, which was decorated with 27 boundaries as he spent over 144 overs in the middle. Time was not enough for the result as England completed a draw.

4. Ben Stokes (England)

2019 was a golden period for the England side as they won the ODI World Cup for the very first time. A couple of weeks later, the focus shifted to the Ashes at home. They lost the opening clash at Edgbaston and drew the second one at Lord’s as the eyes turned to the third game at Leeds in Headingley.

Following the target of 359, the hosts were nine down for 286 runs as the defeat looked inevitable for England. Stokes, who was on 61, refused to give up and charged against the Australian bowlers right, left, and center. Thanks to several big shots against a clinical opponent bowling line-up, he remained unbeaten on 135 and leveled the series at 1-1.

5. Adam Gilchirst (Australia) 

During the second Test of the Ashes 2006/07, England were struggling against the hosts after the first two games. The third fixture was a do-or-die encounter for the visitors. Taking a lead of around 29 runs in the completion of the respective first innings of both sides, Australia came heavily against the poms.

The wicket-keeper batter, Adam Gilchrist, nailed a fiery unbeaten century of 57 deliveries, which is still the fastest ton in the history of the Ashes. His unbeaten 102-run knock was hard to breach as the England side lost the clash by a huge margin of 206 runs.

On this day is the birthday of Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist, whose style of batting was ahead of the time. Gilchrist was among the first few batters who showed how to rotate run rate swiftly, maintaining the copybook techniques.

When Ian Healy retired, many might have thought that the Australian cricket team had to play with a weak point. But Gilchrist, a keeper-batter, proved everyone wrong and became one of the key parts of Steve Waugh's revolutionary Aussie eleven.

The New South Wales-born player played 96 Tests with the baggy green camp to score a total of 5570 runs at an average of 47.60. In the Whites, the attacking top-order batter recorded 26 half centuries and 17 centuries. During the thrilling encounter against South Africa in 2001-02, Gilchrist smashed 204 not out off only 213 balls in Johannesburg. Due to his fearless batting approach, he achieved the record holder for the fourth fastest Test century and was the first player to hit 100 Test sixes.

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Batting stats of Adam Gilchrist

One of his memorable batting performances was against India in Mumbai. With the help of Gilchrist's quick-fire 122-run innings, Australia easily outplayed the home team. During the innings, the batter completed the hundred only against 84 deliveries. After retiring from Test cricket during the 2007-08 season, Gilchrist joined the Indian Premier League club Deccan Chargers and guided them to glory in 2009. In the One Day International format, he played 287 matches and scored 9619 runs at an average of 35.89. In this format, he smashed 55 fifties and 16 hundreds, including the highest score of 172.

Gilchrist participated in few T20Is as well. In 13 Twenty20 games, the southpaw gathered 272 runs at an batting average of 22.66. 

Joe Root is the second leading run-getter in the longest format of world cricket. The former captain of the England side has collected 13543 runs in 288 innings at an average of 51.29 and a strike rate of 57.49 with the help of 39 centuries and 66 half-centuries at the best score of 262 runs. 

Against Australia, the right-handed batter has clubbed 2428 runs in 65 innings at an average of 40.46 and a strike rate of 50, with the help of four centuries and 18 fifties at the best score of 18. He has recorded only 892 runs in 27 innings down under at 35.68 with nine fifties. But is it the best batter for England?

See Also: List of fastest players to score 1000 runs ft. Abhishek Sharma

“He certainly looks to have a hunger for scoring runs. He just looks calm, even in this phase of his career. He plays the ball really close to his bat. And it’s almost like when the captaincy pressure was released from his shoulder, it just seemed to relieve him in every single aspect of his life and convert it to a different mindset. To do this stuff and jump on the board at this stage is excellent.” Australia’s former wicket-keeper, Adam Gilchrist, expressed on Fox Cricket.

Watch: Adam Gilchrist reflects on Joe Root’s skills to be England’s best batter of all-time

Gilchrist reckoned that Root has been excellent in the Bazball era, while the former batter, Mark Waugh, questioned if Root could tackle the bouncer in this series, as the short ball issue keeps creating pressure on the batter.

'IS HE THE BEST ENGLISH BAT OF ALL TIME?' 🤔

He's never made a Test century on Australian soil, but does Joe Root have claims to be the Poms' greatest ever batter?

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✍️BLOG https://t.co/P5kdnBuxXh pic.twitter.com/unjXR9xxET

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) November 8, 2025

“I think Root is the fastest in the Bazball era and always adapts the quickest. He can get a bit creative, but I think he would be the most important member of this whole tour to make sure that they would have enough foundation for the guys like Harry Brook to bat around and build the innings.” Gilchrist added.

“What he has done is to get a great tempo to his batting. He scores quicker even with that. He would get to a fifty in almost no time. The only thing I guess worries him is the bouncer here on the off-stump line, because he does play with a 40-45 degree angled bat. A bit like Ollie Pope, they have the chink in the armor.” Mark Waugh shed light.

Cricket has evolved greatly through the years and so has the role of the wicketkeeper. The role is much more than catching and stumping wicket keepers are renowned figures today and key batters, leaders and game-changers.

Legends such as Kumar Sangakkara, Adam Gilchrist, and MS Dhoni proved that a wicketkeeper is just as vital with the bat as they are behind the stumps. Contemporary players including Quinton de Kock, Shai Hope, and Jos Buttler are proving they are just as capable of holding and advancing that legacy as they continue to undergo ferment performances.

On November 6, 2025, Quinton de Kock surpassed the 22 ODI mark, leaving him one knock away from tying Kumar Sangakkara's record for 23 centuries aka brain drops, very much a testament to the fact the wicketkeeper has evolved to be one of the most complete players in the modern game.

5  Jos Buttler – 11 centuries

• Matches (as keeper): 162
• Hundreds: 11
• Fifties: 28
• Runs: 5,289
• Average: 39.76
• Best Score: 162*
• Country: England

For many years now, Jos Buttler has been an emblem of innovation and aggression in England's white-ball scenarios. Remarkable skill sets, impressive composure and the ability to hit deliveries in a full 360° are the reasons for his remarkable transformation of England's development into a One Day International giant.

Since entering the team in 2013, Buttler has scored 11 hundreds, most at strike rates at the 100 mark or above. His structural levels were made evident when he scored 162* against the West Indies in 2019 and displayed a remarkable capability to hit ramp shots, lofted drives and manipulative strokeplay.

4  Adam Gilchrist – 16 centuries

• Matches (as wicketkeeper): 274
• Centuries: 16
• Half-centuries: 53
• Runs: 9,410
• Average: 35.64
• Highest score: 172
• Country: Australia

Before the emergence of the modern keeper-batter, there was Adam Gilchrist, a cricketer who turned upside down the expectations of what was possible for wicketkeepers to do. Gilchrist opened for Australia in their glory years with one simple objective and goal, to go on the attack from the very first ball.

To score 16 centuries at a time when scores of 300+ in ODIs were seemingly unheard of, is a legend in itself. His innings of 172 against Zimbabwe and the famous 149 in the 2007 World Cup final are two of ODI cricket's greatest innings. He was not the tidy keeper that brings fawning admiration elsewhere, but there is no contest for the legacy that Adam Gilchrist leaves pertaining to Australia's internal dominance - a contributor to the legacy of dominance within Australian cricket as a keeper and apparent top-order aggressor baiting in modernity.

3  Shai Hope – 18 centuries

• Matches (as wicketkeeper): 138
• Centuries: 18
• Half-centuries: 30
• Runs: 5,916
• Average: 50.13
• Highest score: 170
• Country: West Indies

If Gilchrist was all about aggression, Shai Hope is all about calmness and class. The West Indies captain has grown into one of the most consistent one-day batters in the world - a player who values his wicket, builds his innings, and scores under pressure.

Since his 2016 debut, Hope has scored 18 ODI centuries while keeping wickets, at an average in excess of 50-a pretty remarkable effort, considering how irregular West Indies have been over the last few years. His highest score, 170, has come against Ireland and showcases his ability to anchor innings with great patience and timing.

ALSO SEE: List of fastest players to score 1000 runs ft. Abhishek Sharma

2  Quinton de Kock – 22 centuries

• Matches (as wicketkeeper): 156
• Centuries: 22
• Half-centuries: 31
• Runs: 6,953
• Average: 46.97
• Highest score: 178
• Country: South Africa

Quinton de Kock has been the pulse of South Africa's batting for over a decade. He possesses an insouciance in his strokeplay, it is often crisp in its timing, takes the fight to both pace and spin, and is firmly one of the naturally gifted players of this generation. In his 156 wickets as wicketkeeper, he has scored 22 centuries, and has approached 47 as an average - which is a elite standard in modern ODI cricket. De Kock's highest score of 178 against Australia in 2016 is still one of the most fluent innings that any South African opener has played in history.

He added his latest - a fantastic 123 off 119 balls against Pakistan in Durban on November 6, 2025 - and brought him one century away from Kumar Sangakkara's all-time mark. That innings was another showcase of how well de Kock combines aggression with composure. Though he has reduced his international commitments in the last few years, he is still a vital player in the South African cricket environment - and his record is history.

1  Kumar Sangakkara – 23 centuries

• Matches (as a wicketkeeper): 340
• Centuries: 23
• Half-centuries: 91
• Runs (as a wicketkeeper): 13,341
• Overall ODI runs: 14,234
• Average: 41.98
• Highest score: 169
• Country: Sri Lanka

In first position, we have the elegant Kumar Sangakkara, a finalist batter and wicketkeeper in the history of the game. For 15 years, Sangakkara was the definition of consistency as a batter in ODI cricket.

He also holds the record for the most centuries as a wicketkeeper in ODIs - 23 and did it with style, intelligence, and grace. His highest score of 169 was a beautiful innings, both composed and well-structured. Brought to life by his ability to place and time the ball, his overall ODI contribution of 14,234 runs (with an average close to 42) has guaranteed his position in the pantheon of ODI greatness.

FAQs

1. Who has the most centuries by a wicketkeeper in ODI cricket?
The great Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka has the great record for the most centuries by a wicketkeeper in ODIs, with a total of 23 centuries. The next closest player to significantly surpassing Sangakkara’s record is Quinton de Kock, who is just one century behind with 22 centuries.

2. How many ODI centuries has Quinton de Kock scored as a wicketkeeper?
Quinton de Kock of South Africa has scored 22 ODI centuries in 156 innings as a wicketkeeper, averaging nearly 47. De Kock scored his most recent century against Pakistan on November 6, 2025, scoring 123 runs.

3. Who is the only current wicketkeeper near breaking Kumar Sangakkara's record?
Quinton de Kock is the only current wicketkeeper who is nearing to breaking Kumar Sangakkara's record of 23 ODI centuries. De Kock has scored a total of 22 centuries, so he is currently just one century shy.

4. How many ODI centuries has Shai Hope scored and what is his batting average?
Shai Hope, captain of the West Indies, has recorded 18 ODI centuries, along with 30 half-centuries and with a batting average of 50.13 - the best average of all of the wicketkeepers on this list.

5. What is Jos Buttler’s highest score in ODI cricket?
Jos Buttler, England’s white-ball captain, achieved his career-best score of 162 not out against the West Indies in 2019. That innings stands out as one of the most commanding performances by a wicketkeeper-batter in modern ODI history.

The five-Test series between India and England, starting on June 20, is being seen as the beginning of a new era. With legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring from Test cricket, the Indian team will now take the field under young leadership. Shubman Gill has been made the captain, and Rishabh Pant will be the vice-captain.

Recently, during the Indian Premier League 2025, Indian Test team captain Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from red-ball cricket. Now, Australia’s legendary wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has spoken openly about Rohit Sharma. He also praised Rohit a lot. The video of his statement is now going viral on social media.

Australia’s legendary wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist recently gave an exclusive interview where he praised Rohit Sharma a lot. He also shared how he and Rohit had a special connection from many years ago.

Adam Gilchrist said about Rohit Sharma, “I have known Rohit since he was very young. He was my vice-captain in Deccan Chargers in 2008 and 2009. At that time, he was a white-ball (ODI-T20) star, but he also loved playing Test (red-ball) cricket.”

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Rohit Sharma made his IPL debut in 2008. He played for Deccan Chargers in the first three seasons. From IPL 2008 to 2010, Adam Gilchrist was the captain of the Deccan Chargers and Rohit Sharma was the vice-captain. Rohit played 48 matches for the team and scored 1170 runs at an average of 30.79. He also took 14 wickets during this time.

Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from both T20 and Test cricket. In his Test career, he scored 4301 runs in 67 matches at an average of 40.57. This includes 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries. In T20 internationals, he scored 4231 runs in 159 matches at an average of 32.05, with 5 centuries and 32 half-centuries. Apart from this, he has scored 11168 runs in 273 ODI matches at an average of 48.76, which includes 32 centuries and 58 half-centuries.

Faf du Plessis entered into the record book of the Indian Premier League as soon as he entered into the Wankhede Stadium against Mumbai Indians on May 21 as the captain of Delhi Capitals. The former South Africa international, at the age of 40 years and 312 days, did his captain's job for the IPL team and became one of the oldest players to lead a team in an Indian Premier League match. Through this article we'll explore the five oldest captains to ever step into the field in the history of the cash-rich league so far. 

List of oldest captains in the history of IPL:

• MS Dhoni 

Ruturaj Gaikwad's season-ending injury caused MS Dhoni to make a comeback as captain of Chennai Super Kings at the age of 43 years and 278 days; thus, he became the oldest cricketer to lead a team in the tournament. In 2022, Dhoni stepped down from his CSK captaincy role and offered Ravindra Jadeja the position. Later, after a spell of poor performance, Dhoni again put on the captain's armband. In 2023, he guided the Super Kings to their 5th IPL title. 

• Shane Warne

Before MS Dhoni, it was legendary Shane Warne who held the record as the most senior player to lead a team. Warne was the skipper of Rajasthan Royals until the age of 41 years and 249 days. Under his guidance, Royals won the inaugural edition of the IPL, and till today, that's remained their major success of the tournament. With a bunch of underrated and young players, Warne guided the team to glory. He was also the only full-time non-Indian captain in the IPL that season.

Read More: GT vs LSG IPL Match Live streaming: Where & How to watch on TV

• Adam Gilchrist

Another Australian legend is on the list, this time Adam Gilchrist. At 41 years and 185 days of age, the wicketkeeper-batter registered his name. The history notes with Kings XI Punjab (now known as Punjab Kings). Over the years, Punjab Kings had multiple captains, but Gilchrist was one of the most popular among them till today, though he didn't guide the team to glory. He led the team in 34 games, winning 17 and losing 17.

• Faf du Plessis 

Now, here comes Faf du Plessis. Axar Patel, the regular skipper of Delhi Capitals, was 'really sick' and did not participate in the match against Mumbai Indians. The South African, normally assigned as the vice captain of the team, got the opportunity to lead the team from the front at the age of 40 years and 312 days. He also became the first player to captain the Delhi-based franchise after turning 40. 

• Rahul Dravid 

Many wouldn't have expected Rahul Dravid to appear in the list. Dravid and the Rajasthan Royals have had a long relationship since 2011. 'The Wall' was an integral part for the team from the 2011 to the 2013 season. In IPL 2013, Rajasthan was up against Mumbai in Qualifier 2, and Dravid was then the captain of the Royals at the age of 40 years and 133 days. That night Mumbai won the match, and for Dravid, it was his last IPL appearance as a player; now he is the head coach of Rajasthan Royals after a successful stint as the head coach of team India. 

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen some of the most astounding batting in the history of cricket, however it is safe to say that some of the brightest performances have come in the form of the fastest centuries ever performed in the league. To score a hundred runs in such rapid time not only displays a batter's raw and powerful abilities, but also shifts the momentum of a match 180 degrees. Over the years, players like Chris Gayle, Yusuf Pathan, and now the newer-generation stars have cemented their legacies in the IPL record books with scintillating innings. These rapid centuries will always be a reminder of the power, creativity, and fearlessness that T20 cricket demands. Whether it be sheer physicality or precise stroke making, the race for the fastest century is still one of the most admired achievements in the IPL's storied and ever-evolving history. Now let us look at the exclusive list;

1. Chris Gayle – 30 Balls (RCB vs PWI, 2013)

Chris Gayle's 175* against Pune Warriors India is probably the most devastating innings ever played in T20 cricket. At the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Gayle raced past his hundred in just 30 balls, making the bowlers look silly. During his innings, he hit 13 fours and a whopping 17 sixes as Royal Challengers Bengaluru posted a record total. Gayle's innings is also the fastest century in IPL history and the landmark is yet to be beaten.

2. Vaibhav Suryavanshi – 35 Balls (RR vs GT, 2025)

In IPL 2025, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi stunned everyone in the cricketing world by hitting a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans (GT). Chasing a daunting target 210 runs, Vaibhav’s fearless and aggressive batting led Rajasthan Royals to a historic win. This win was much needed for keeping RR in hunt of IPL Playoffs. His innings, laced with 7 fours and 11 sixes, made him the youngest player to score an IPL and T20 century, and the second-fastest century scorer in IPL history — a truly sensational feat.

3. Yusuf Pathan – 37 Balls (RR vs MI, 2010)

Yusuf Pathan announced himself as one of the most fearsome hitters of his time when he hammered a 37-ball century for Rajasthan Royals against Mumbai Indians. Chasing a huge total, Pathan turned the game on its head with his brutal hitting, although the Royals narrowly lost. His innings, featuring clean six-hitting and power strokes, remained the fastest century for years before Gayle’s blitzkrieg.

4. Heinrich Klaasen - 37 Balls (SRH vs KKR, 2025)

In the 68th match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025, Heinrich Klaasen produced a breathtaking innings. Coming in at number three, Klaasen smashed an unbeaten 105 off just 39 balls, reaching his century in a mere 37 deliveries. His knock was packed with explosive strokes, including 7 fours and 9 towering sixes, as he tore into the KKR bowling attack. With a strike rate of 269.23, Klaasen played a pivotal role in propelling SRH to a commanding total, displaying exceptional power-hitting and timing to register one of the fastest centuries of the season. This also helped SRH to put up a huge total of 278 runs, which is also the third-highest team total in the history of IPL.

4. David Miller – 38 Balls (KXIP vs RCB, 2013)

David Miller who is known as "Killer Miller" for his 38-ball century while playing for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Under pressure, the South African left hand batter exploded into a T20 assault, hitting boundaries at will and finishing with a score of 101 runs. With some measured aggression and precision hitting, Miller led KXIP to the memorable chase, and lived upto his reputation as a game-changer in the world of T20 cricket.

5. Priyansh Arya – 39 Balls (PBKS vs CSK, 2025)

Punjab Kings (PBKS) secured 24-year-old Delhi opener Arya for INR 3.8 crore after a heated bidding war at the auction, and he's quickly proving his worth. After a strong debut performance with a 23-ball 47, Arya showcased his potential again against CSK. He launched the innings with a first-ball six and maintained his aggressive approach despite wickets falling at the other end. Arya then hammered Matheesha Pathirana for three consecutive sixes and a four, reaching a remarkable maiden IPL century in just the 13th over.

6. Travis Head  – 39 Balls (SRH vs RCB, 2024)

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Head had already made their mark earlier in the season with a 277-run explosion. In Bengaluru, they surpassed that feat. Head led the charge with a blistering powerplay performance, helping SRH reach 76 for no loss while bringing up his fifty. By the time he was dismissed in the 13th over after a rapid 41-ball 102, SRH had soared to 165. They ultimately finished with a record-breaking 287, the highest total in IPL history.

In February 2025, Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey achieved a remarkable milestone in the history of Australian cricket. During the second Test of Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium, Carey set a new record for the highest individual score by an Australian wicketkeeper-batter in Sri Lanka. Australian wicketkeeper-batters with the highest individual scores in Test matches in Sri Lanka:

• Alex Carey
• Ian Healy
• Adam Gilchrist

Alex Carey etches his name in history👏

A batting masterclass as he notches the highest individual score by an Australian wicketkeeper-batter in Sri Lanka.#SLvsAUS #AlexCarey pic.twitter.com/PqpoGWuCeg

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 8, 2025

Australia's Growth in Subcontinent Conditions 

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Australia has had difficult times playing in the subcontinent, generally not being able to come to terms with the spin-friendly wickets of the subcontinent, at least, the slow turning wickets there. However, players like Alex Carey would do their good part in rewriting that script for Australia. Such innings by Carey from Sri Lanka are evidence of how this team is learning to cope with the subcontinent conditions. These performances against tough bowling speaks volumes of the strength gaining in Australia's batting lineup to put a composed performance in the matters involving spin.
The record-breaking knock of Carey is another important moment in Australian cricket. While big names like Steve Smith and David Warner often hog the limelight, contributions by players like Carey are becoming increasingly important for Australian cricket. He would go down in history not just for his crucial moment for the team but for generations of cricketers as an inspiration who will face challenges and adjust to the most trying conditions. It was a lesson in resilience and adaptability in order to achieve success at international levels.

The Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has come under immense scrutiny following his flop show in the Border Gavaskar Trophy down under, both as a batsman and as a captain. Across five innings, the Indian maestro accumulated only 31 runs at a shocking average of 6.8. Even the likes of Bumrah (42), Cummins (159), and Starc (97) managed to accumulate more runs than him in the entirety of the series despite batting not being their primary responsibility. 

Following a string of low scores, Rohit was forced to drop himself for the fifth and final Test in Sydney which India lost by six wickets. Subsequently, India went on to lose the five-match series by 1-3 and lost its hold on the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy in over a decade.

See also: Watch: Mohammed Siraj completes 100 Test wickets

The clock seems to be ticking for Rohit Sharma as per Gilchrist

India's next red-ball assignment will commence against England this year in June. Former Australian wicketkeeper turned commentator Adam Gilchrist believes that he has seen the last of Rohit Sharma in red-ball cricket. The 53-year-old opines that the swashbuckling opener may not press forward to create a strong case for himself. After becoming a father to a baby boy in December last year, Gilchrist does not see him touring England as he feels that Rohit may have additional responsibilities on his shoulders. 

"I don't see Rohit going to England. I just felt that he says he will assess it when he gets home. I mean, the first thing he will be met with when he gets home is a two-month-old baby that he has to change the nappies on. Now that might incentivise him to go to England. But I don't see him pressing on."

Gilly optimistic about Rohit's white-ball future

Despite Rohit's ongoing struggles in the longest format, Gilchrist remains hopeful to see the best out of him in the ODI format. He reckons that the ace batter could play a key role in the upcoming Champions Trophy whilst also adding that it could be his last appearance in the white-ball arena. 

"I think he'll probably have a crack at the Champions Trophy and that might be...that might see him out."

Although Rohit's record in Test cricket may appear unremarkable, he has been performing exceptionally well in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Since the beginning of 2023, the right-handed batsman has accumulated 1,412 runs over 29 innings, achieving an outstanding average of 52.29 and a commendable strike rate of 119.35. His prospects in the ODI format may largely hinge on his performance in the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL) are meant to break records, and that’s why some batters can completely change the game in very little time, leaving no chance for the opposition to recover from the assault. When any batter hits a century in a T20 inning, it significantly enhances the chances of their team winning. Particularly if this century is scored at a blazing pace, the probability of victory increases even more due to a considerable shift in momentum. In this blog, we will cover top 5 fastest centuries of IPL history.

See Also: Big players miss out as Australia announce men’s new contracts

Chris Gayle’s 30 ball century

Chris Gayle, known for his explosive batting prowess, holds the record for smashing the fastest century in the IPL. In IPL 2013 against the Pune Warriors, Gayle played a blistering knock of 175 runs off just 66 balls. This memorable inning included 13 fours and a staggering 17 huge sixes. Gayle reached the three-figure mark in a mere 30 balls, propelling Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to a colossal total of 263/5 in 20 overs. Pune Warriors could only manage a paltry 133/9 in response, losing the match by a whopping 130 runs.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi 35 ball century

Vaibhav Suryavanshi created history by becoming the youngest player to score a century in T20 cricket. He smashed a brilliant 101 runs off just 38 balls, hitting 7 fours and 11 towering sixes. With a staggering strike rate of 265.79, Vaibhav’s explosive innings showcased his incredible talent and marked a memorable milestone in his budding career.

Yusuf Pathan’s 37 ball century

Yusuf Pathan stands at the top spot among Indian players for the fastest century in IPL history. He smashed a century in only 37 balls against the Mumbai Indians in 2010, setting a record at that time. Chasing a daunting target of 213 runs, the Rajasthan Royals were well in the game until Yusuf got a run-out on the first ball of the 18th over. Despite his heroic effort, Rajasthan fell short by just 4 runs, scoring 208/7 in their 20 overs.

David Miller’s 38 ball century

David Miller showcased his batting prowess with a century in just 38 balls during his memorable 101-run knock against RCB in the IPL 2013. RCB had set a target of 191 runs, seemingly putting Punjab in a winning position, as they managed only 64/4 in 9.5 overs. However, Miller’s blitzkrieg turned the tables as Punjab chased down the challenging total in just 18 overs with six wickets to spare.

Adam Gilchrist’s 42 ball century

Adam Gilchrist’s 42-ball century in the inaugural season of the IPL remains etched in memory. Playing for the Deccan Chargers, Gilchrist chased down 155 runs in just 12 overs against the Mumbai Indians, leading his team to a comfortable 10-wicket victory.

AB de Villiers and David Warner’s 43 ball century

AB de Villiers and David Warner share the joint-fifth spot for their centuries in only 43 balls. De Villiers smashed 129 runs off 52 balls against the Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016, while Warner’s 126 runs off 59 balls against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2017.