Top 5 Fastest Centuries in Ranji Trophy

Top 5 Fastest Centuries in Ranji Trophy : The Ranji Trophy, one of the most prestigious domestic cricket tournaments in India, has witnessed many remarkable performances over the years. Among these, a few stand out for their sheer speed and aggression in scoring centuries. Fast centuries in cricket are not only a testament to a player’s skill and timing but also their ability to dominate bowlers and change the course of a match in no time. In this article, we delve into the top five fastest centuries in the history of the Ranji Trophy, a tournament that has produced some of India’s greatest cricketing talents.

5. Rishabh Pant (82-ball Century)

Rishabh Pant’s rise in Indian cricket has been nothing short of meteoric, and one of his early standout performances came in the Ranji Trophy. During the 2016–17 season, Pant smashed a century off just 82 balls in the first innings of a match against Jharkhand. His aggressive knock of 117 runs off 106 balls was the second century of the innings for Delhi, with Unmukt Chand having scored 109 earlier. Their combined efforts pushed Delhi to a total of 334 runs, but Jharkhand’s response was formidable, with Ishan Kishan scoring an incredible 273, leading his team to a total of 493. Pant’s century may not have secured a win, but it certainly announced him as a player to watch. Top 5 Fastest Centuries in Ranji Trophy

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4. Eklavya Dwivedi (72-ball Century)

Eklavya Dwivedi’s fighting century for Uttar Pradesh in the 2014–15 Ranji Trophy season helped his team avoid relegation and secure a vital win against Railways. Uttar Pradesh, facing a must-win situation, began cautiously after losing early wickets. Tanmay Srivastava steadied the ship with a half-century, but it was Dwivedi who provided the much-needed impetus to chase down the target. He scored a century off just 72 balls, finishing with a brilliant 102 off 73 deliveries. His knock, combined with a valuable 35 from Umang Sharma, helped Uttar Pradesh achieve victory in 74.4 overs. Dwivedi’s innings was crucial in lifting his team from a precarious position in the league standings. Top 5 Fastest Centuries in Ranji Trophy

3. Naman Ojha (69-ball Century)

In the 2015 Ranji Trophy, Madhya Pradesh’s Naman Ojha played one of the most explosive innings of his career against Karnataka. Known for his ability to score quickly, Ojha made a memorable century off just 69 balls in an innings that totaled 115 runs from 81 balls. His knock included eight fours and nine towering sixes, keeping the Karnataka bowlers under pressure throughout his stay at the crease. While Madhya Pradesh faced a tough opponent in Karnataka, Ojha’s aggressive batting was one of the highlights of the match, showcasing his potential as a dangerous top-order batsman in domestic cricket.

2. Riyan Parag (67-ball Century)

Riyan Parag, the Assam captain, made headlines in the 2024 Ranji Trophy season with a breathtaking knock against Chhattisgarh. Parag smashed a century off just 67 balls, finishing with 155 runs off 87 deliveries. His innings included 12 sixes and 11 fours, putting immense pressure on the opposition bowlers. Despite his heroic efforts, Assam fell short, losing the match by 10 wickets. However, Parag’s innings stood out for its sheer dominance, as he scored over 50% of Assam’s total of 254. His strike rate of 178 was a testament to his attacking mindset, and his century became the second-fastest in Ranji Trophy history. Top 5 Fastest Centuries in Ranji Trophy

1. Rishabh Pant (48-ball Century)

Topping the list of fastest centuries in Ranji Trophy history is once again Rishabh Pant, this time for his blistering 48-ball century during the 2016–17 season. Playing against Jharkhand in Thiruvananthapuram, Pant’s innings was nothing short of extraordinary. He scored 135 runs off just 67 balls, including eight fours and 13 sixes. His century off 48 balls set a new record in the Ranji Trophy, and his 21 sixes in the match were the second most ever in a first-class match, behind Colin Munro’s 23 sixes in 2015. Pant’s explosive batting decimated the Jharkhand bowling attack and helped Delhi post a formidable total. This innings, played at a strike rate of over 200, solidified Pant’s reputation as one of the most exciting young cricketers in India.

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Conclusion

The Ranji Trophy has long been a breeding ground for Indian cricketing talent, and these five players have etched their names into the history books with their rapid centuries. Whether it’s Rishabh Pant’s record-breaking 48-ball century or Riyan Parag’s remarkable knock in 2024, each of these innings showcases the aggressive flair and incredible skill that these cricketers bring to the game. Fast centuries are not just a display of power hitting but also require exceptional timing, placement, and mental strength to maintain such a high strike rate over a substantial period. These performances continue to inspire young cricketers and remind us why the Ranji Trophy remains a vital component of Indian cricket’s fabric.