Sport
Chris Gayle sets new record for fastest Twenty20 century in history
Jamaica’s Chris Gayle, celebrates his century against the Pune Warriors at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium. PHOTO/PTI
West Indies opener Chris Gayle has set a new record for the fastest century in the history of professional cricket playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League, Tuesday.
Gayle smashed an astonishing ton off just 30 balls, battering the Pune Warriors bowling attack in an innings that included seven dot balls, four singles, eight fours and 11 sixes at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.
His ruthless attack on the Pune bowling was in a category completely different from what has been a hit-and-miss Indian Premier League in 2013 with low scores except for an 85 of 50 balls and a 92 off 58 balls.
Gayle, 31, got to his century with a free-hit from medium-pacer Ashok Dinda which went crashing into the roof of the M. Chinnaswamy stadium.
“It was just one of those days. I went berserk and it just paid off,” said Gayle, who now has a staggering 11 centuries in Twenty20 cricket.
Gayle’s 30-ball ton erases the previous 34-ball Twenty20 record set by Australia’s Andrew Symonds.
The record in 50-over cricket is Shahid Afridi’s 37-ball ton for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in 1996 while the Test record belongs to Gayle’s fellow West Indian Sir Viv Richards, who flayed England for a 56-ball 100 in Antigua in 1986.
The Jamaican batsman finished with a world record score of 175 not out that included 13 fours, 17 sixes from 66 balls.
Royal Challengers Bangalore finished on 263 for five from 20 overs to break Sri Lanka’s record of 260-6 against Kenya in the 2007 World Twenty20.
Pune Warriors, who chose to field, were chasing 264 for victory. -(CMC)