Travis Head Century
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were left shell-shocked on Monday night as Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Travis Head unleashed a whirlwind knock at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Australian opener carved his name into the record books, smashing the fastest century in SRH history and the fourth-fastest in IPL history.
Head Goes Berserk: A Century in 39 Balls
The Australian wasted no time in setting the tone. He tore into the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) bowling attack, dispatching boundaries with disdain. Anything loose was dispatched mercilessly, while even good deliveries were met with audacious strokes. The left-hander reached his fifty off just 23 balls, sending shivers down the spines of the RCB bowlers and electrifying the crowd.
The carnage continued unabated as Head feasted on every scoring opportunity. He reached his hundred in a mere 39 deliveries, surpassing the previous SRH record held by David Warner (43 balls) by a significant margin. This feat also propelled him into the elite company of IPL legends. Chris Gayle (30 balls for RCB in 2013) still holds the record for the fastest IPL century, followed by Yusuf Pathan (37 balls for RR in 2010) and KL Rahul (40 balls for KXIP in 2014).
Head’s Masterclass: A Look at the Fastest IPL Hundreds
Head’s knock was a masterclass in controlled aggression. He displayed a wide array of shots, from powerful lofted drives over extra cover to exquisite flicks off his pads. The sixes flowed freely, leaving the RCB bowlers with little respite. His knock not only silenced the home crowd but also provided a major boost to SRH’s batting lineup.
Joining the Fastest Hundred Club
Here’s a quick look at the top four fastest IPL hundreds:
Chris Gayle – 30 balls (RCB vs Pune Warriors, 2013)
Yusuf Pathan – 37 balls (Rajasthan Royals vs Deccan Chargers, 2010)
David Miller – 38 balls (Kings XI Punjab vs RCB, 2013)
Travis Head – 39 balls (SRH vs RCB, 2024)
