5 Fastest Hundreds In Ranji Trophy History

Jatin

Patidar recently scored the fifth fastest hundred in Ranji Trophy [Source: @GsmsMedia/x.com]Patidar recently scored the fifth fastest hundred in Ranji Trophy [Source: @GsmsMedia/x.com]

Long spells, patient knocks, and gritty efforts normally define the spirit of competition when it comes to the Ranji Trophy. But then, there is another side of it—when the batsmen let all their firepower loose and create magic with the bat.

Unleashing that magic, they take the bull by the horns and leave bowlers scratching their heads and spectators jumping out of their seats. In this article, we take a look at the top 5 fastest centuries in Ranji Trophy history.

5. Rajat Patidar – 68 balls vs Haryana, Indore, 2024-25


Coming in at number five is Rajat Patidar, whose carnage against Haryana in Indore recently still has fans talking. With a remote chance of an outcome for the last day of the game, Patidar came to bat when Madhya Pradesh was 49/1 in their second innings.

What followed was a delight for all the onlookers as he belted blows to Haryana's bowlers to all parts of the Holkar Stadium. Patidar reached his hundred off just 68 balls and became the quickest Madhya Pradesh batter to reach a century in Ranji Trophy history.

He went about the carnage, hitting seven sixes and 13 fours en route to being dismissed for 159 off 102 balls. Patidar's knock turned an otherwise dull day into a thrilling show of batting skills.

4. Reuben Paul – 60 balls vs Goa, Madras, 1995-96

Reuben Paul of Tamil Nadu comes fourth with a whirlwind 60-ball century against Goa. He opted to bat aggressively right from the outset, smacking boundaries at will against Goa, right in Madras—now Chennai.

Batting marked by blinding drives and big sixes, with the poor Goa bowlers looking caught between a rock and a hard place. Paul's effort powered Tamil Nadu to dominance in the match, setting up a comprehensive win. Paul's innings stays in the minds of those who witnessed his 1995-96 heroics, something as quick as impactful.

3. Riyan Parag – 56 balls vs Chhattisgarh, Raipur, 2023-24

Riyan Parag [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]Riyan Parag [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

Fearless batting has been the hallmark of Riyan Parag throughout his career, but the recent 56-ball hundred against Chhattisgarh in the 2023-24 Ranji season was something else. The team had got off to a poor start—getting bowled out for just 159 in their first innings after being asked to bat first—and had to follow on.

With defeat staring them in the face, Parag decided to go after the Chhattisgarh bowling. His hundred, coming off just 56 balls, was replete with 11 fours and 12 sixes as he tried to turn the tide in favour of Assam.

But unluckily, his valiant effort wasn't enough to save Assam, which was skittled out for 254 in their second innings, offering a mere 87-run target. Chhattisgarh chased it down without losing a wicket to win by 10 wickets, but Parag's scintillating hundred was the silver lining in an otherwise disappointing match for Assam.

2. Rajesh Borah – 56 balls vs Tripura, Guwahati, 1987-88

Rajesh Borah's 56-ball blitz against Tripura in the 1987-88 season sits at number two. Playing at home in Guwahati, Borah comes out all guns firing. He sent the Tripura attack on a leather hunt like it were a day at the nets.

The century off 56 balls was full of boundary-laden aggression as he propelled Assam to a commanding total and set up a massive win. His knock of 126 runs was studded with 11 fours and as many sixes.

1. Rishabh Pant – 48 balls vs Jharkhand, Thumba, 2016-17

Rishabh Pant [Source: @CricketTalkies/x.com]Rishabh Pant [Source: @CricketTalkies/x.com]

Leading the list is the enterprising Rishabh Pant, who had scored a 48-ball hundred against Jharkhand in the 2016-17 season of the Ranji Trophy. It was recorded to be the fastest in the history of the tournament.

At Thumba, Delhi was under so much pressure as Jharkhand had managed to compile an enormous total of 493, courtesy of an outstanding knock of 273 from Ishan Kishan. Forced to follow on after managing a score of 334 in the first innings, Delhi had no plans of lying low as Pant turned on the heat with an attacking display in the second innings, taking Jharkhand's bowlers to the cleaners.

His brutal 48-ball century, laced with 8 fours and 13 sixes, mashed 135 off 67 balls as Delhi reached the incredible score of 480/6. Eventually, the match was drawn, but Pant's innings was proof of his incredible talent.