Slowest Century in IPL History
The Indian Premier League is well-known for its fast batting and big scores. In most matches, players hit boundaries and score centuries very quickly. But not all centuries in the IPL have come in a flash. Sometimes, even the best players have to be patient, especially when they face difficult situations or strong bowlers.
In this article, we’ll focus on the the slowest centuries in IPL history. These were the moments when batsmen had to work extra hard to reach 100 runs. It shows that even in a fast game like IPL, patience and determination can still lead to success.
IPL Slowest Century
In the history of the IPL, the record for the slowest century is held by two players—Virat Kohli and Manish Pandey. Both took 67 balls to reach 100 runs. This wasn’t because they played poorly, but because the conditions were tough, and the bowlers made it hard for them to score quickly.
Even though these two batsmen are known for their fast scoring, in these matches, they had to stay patient and focus on getting through the challenges they faced. It shows that sometimes, even great players need to adjust their game to succeed.
Virat Kohli – 67 Balls vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL 2024
In the 2024 IPL season, Virat Kohli made one of the slowest centuries in IPL history. He took 67 balls to reach 100 runs while playing against Rajasthan Royals.
Even though Kohli scored a century, some people were not happy because he played slowly, and his team, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), lost the game.
Kohli stayed not out with 113 runs from 72 balls, hitting 12 boundaries and 4 sixes. The match was held in Jaipur, and it happened in 2024.
Manish Pandey – 67 Balls vs Deccan Chargers, IPL 2009
Manish Pandey made history in the 2009 IPL season by becoming the first Indian cricketer to score a century in the tournament. He reached 100 runs in 67 balls while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore against the Deccan Chargers.
Pandey’s total score was 114 runs from 73 balls, with 10 boundaries and 4 sixes. This special moment happened at the Centurion stadium in 2009, and it remains a memorable achievement in IPL history.
Sachin Tendulkar – 66 Balls vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, IPL 2011
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar also made it to the list of slow centuries in IPL. In 2011, he scored 100 runs in 66 balls against Kochi Tuskers Kerala while opening for Mumbai Indians.
Tendulkar remained not out with his century, but even his slow and steady knock couldn’t help Mumbai win the game. Kochi Tuskers chased down the target successfully.
This match took place in Mumbai in 2011, and Tendulkar’s century is remembered as a special but unfortunate effort for his team.
David Warner – 66 Balls vs Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL 2010
David Warner, usually known for his fast and aggressive batting, surprised everyone in 2010 when he took 66 balls to score a century.
He was playing for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) against Kolkata Knight Riders. Warner’s unbeaten score of 107 runs included 9 fours and 5 sixes, helping his team set a strong total.
Even though Warner’s century came at a slower pace, it turned out to be a match-winning performance. The game took place in Delhi in 2010, and his knock is remembered for its impact despite the slower scoring rate.
Jos Buttler – 66 Balls vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2022
English cricketer Jos Buttler took 66 balls to score a century against Mumbai Indians during the 2022 IPL season. Opening for Rajasthan Royals, Buttler’s century was a key part of his amazing performance that season, where he won the Orange Cap for scoring the most runs.
His knock helped Rajasthan put up a strong total. Even though his century came slowly, Buttler’s skill and powerful hitting later in the game helped secure a win for his team. This match took place in Navi Mumbai in 2022.
Slowest Hundreds in Indian Premier League
Besides the top five slowest centuries in IPL history, other well-known players have also scored slow hundreds. Kevin Pietersen, KL Rahul, and Ambati Rayudu are some of the names who took their time to reach 100 runs. This shows that in the fast-paced T20 format, patience and the ability to adjust are sometimes just as important as fast scoring.
