Who Scored a Century in Just 3 Overs?
Cricket fans love big records, fast runs, and unbelievable moments. One question that often goes viral on Google and social media is “Who scored a century in just 3 overs?”
At first glance, it sounds almost impossible. A century means 100 runs, and 3 overs mean only 18 balls. Can a player really do that in a real match? Let’s break this topic down into easy English, clear facts, and simple words so everyone can understand.
Understanding the Question Clearly
Before jumping to names, it is important to understand what 3 overs really means.
- 1 over = 6 balls
- 3 overs = 18 balls
- To score 100 runs in 18 balls, a batter must hit almost every ball for six.
That means the strike rate would be over 550, which is extremely rare in professional cricket.
So, the big question is:
👉 Has anyone officially scored a century in just 3 overs?
The Simple and Honest Answer
No player has officially scored a century in just 3 overs in an international or professional match.
This record does not exist in official cricket history.
However, the question became popular because of confusion, exaggeration, and viral content online.
Why This Question Became So Popular
Many cricket fans mix up different records, such as:
- Fastest century
- Fastest 50
- Six-hitting sprees
- Practice match performances
- Domestic or exhibition games
Over time, these stories turn into clickbait headlines like
“Century in 3 overs!”, even when it did not actually happen.
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Fastest Centuries in Real Cricket (Official Records)
Even though no one scored a century in 3 overs, some players came very close in terms of speed.
1. Fastest ODI Century – Corey Anderson
Corey Anderson scored the fastest ODI century in 36 balls in 2014.
That equals 6 overs, which is still double the time of 3 overs.
This record shows how hard it is to score a hundred so quickly.
2. Fastest T20I Century – Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle scored the fastest T20 international century in 47 balls.
Even the most powerful hitter in cricket history needed almost 8 overs.
3. Fastest IPL Century – Chris Gayle
In the IPL, Gayle smashed a century in 30 balls, which is around 5 overs.
This is one of the closest real performances to the “3 overs” idea.
What About Practice Matches or Local Games?
In practice matches, club cricket, or school-level games, things can be different.
- Bowlers may be weak.
- Rules may be flexible
- Matches may not be officially recorded
There have been unverified claims of players scoring 100 runs very quickly, but none are officially accepted by cricket boards.
So, even if someone scored a century in 3 overs in a friendly or street match, it does not count as a world record.
Common Players People Confuse With This Record
Many fans wrongly connect this question with famous aggressive batters like:
- Yuvraj Singh
- AB de Villiers
- Shahid Afridi
These players scored very fast 50s and centuries, but not in just 3 overs.
For example:
- Yuvraj Singh hit six sixes in one over.
- Afridi scored a century in 37 balls.
- AB de Villiers scored one in 31 balls.
Still, none reached 100 in 18 balls.
Is It Even Possible in the Future?
In theory, yes.
In reality, extremely unlikely.
To score 100 runs in 18 balls, a player would need:
- Around 16–17 sixes
- No dot balls
- No mistakes
With modern cricket becoming faster, we may see faster centuries, but 3 overs is still a dream, not a record.
Final Verdict
So, let’s answer the main question clearly:
👉 No one has officially scored a century in just 3 overs in professional cricket.
The question is popular because:
- It sounds exciting.
- It spreads fast on social media.
- It mixes real records with myths.
But according to real cricket history, the record does not exist.
(FAQs)
Q1: Who scored a century in just 3 overs?
No player has officially scored a century in 3 overs in any recognised cricket match.
Q2: What is the fastest century ever recorded?
The fastest ODI century was scored by Corey Anderson in 36 balls.
Q3: Did Chris Gayle score a century in 3 overs?
No. Chris Gayle’s fastest century was in 30 balls, which is about 5 overs.
Q4: Are practice match records counted officially?
No. Only matches recognised by cricket boards are counted as official records.
Q5: Can this record be broken in the future?
It is possible in theory but extremely difficult in real professional cricket.