The fastest hundreds in Ranji Trophy list has some elite names of domestic cricketers who chose to go the aggressive way and slam big, quick hundreds. The Ranji Trophy, the prestigious first-class cricket competition played in India, has been a platform for many cricketers to showcase their talent and make a mark in the cricketing world.
Among the many records and achievements, the fastest centuries scored in the tournament hold a special place. These innings not only demonstrate the players' exceptional skills but also their ability to adapt and excel under pressure.
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Riyan Parag scripts history
Some of these knocks have come with zero pressure for the batters, but some others like that of Riyan Parag have come with the team in huge trouble. Parag set the benchmark in the Ranji Trophy on Monday with a remarkable hundred off 56 balls with his team following-on.
In a total of 254, Parag made 155, taking just 87 balls to reach the feat. The innings was studded with 11 fours and 12 sixes as he helped Assam take a lead and seta target of 87 against Chattisgarh.
His innings was a perfect blend of aggression, skill, and determination, setting a new benchmark in first-class cricket in India. Parag's innings was not just about personal glory but about lifting his team from a challenging situation. His approach to batting, marked by fearless stroke-play and astute game awareness, has been a talking point despite his struggles in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals.
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This innings by Parag is a testament to the evolving nature of first-class cricket in India, like it is around the globe, where aggression is making a prominent presence alongside traditional batting. If anything, it reflects a new era of Indian cricket, where young talents are ready to take on the world stage by exploring the format with a different perspective.
In this article, we will explore the top five fastest hundreds in the history of the Ranji Trophy.
Top five fastest hundreds in the history of the Ranji Trophy
Rishabh Pant (Delhi) v Jharkhand, 2016-17
1. Rishabh Pant in 48 balls against Jharkhand
In the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy, Rishabh Pant created a sensation by scoring the fastest century in the tournament's history. Pant achieved this incredible feat in just 48 balls against Jharkhand. His innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, as he smashed 13 sixes and 8 fours, ending with a score of 135 runs off 67 balls. This performance not only set a record but also helped Delhi secure a draw in a crucial match.
Pant, of course, built on that with some important knocks for Delhi that eventually led to his selection in IPL and subsequently the Indian team. An under-19 star, Pant used the Ranji platform to showcase his ridiculous skills as a batter and the stunning record hundred grabbed headlines at that time.
Riyan Parag (Assam) v Chhattisgarh, 2023-24
2. Riyan Parag in 56 balls against Chhattisgarh
Riyan Parag's recent blitzkrieg in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy is the second fastest in the tournament's history. Scoring his century in just 56 balls against Chhattisgarh, Parag's innings was a mix of elegance and power-hitting. He scored 155 runs off 87 balls, including 12 sixes and 11 fours, showcasing his ability to dominate the bowling attack.
Parag walked in with Assam struggling in their second innings, already behind by a bit against Chattisgarh. The middle-order batter, who has copped severe criticism in the past for his lack of runs in the IPL, went on to thwart the Chattisgarh attack with his stroke-play, taking Assam to a lead that very few anticipated.
HUNDRED FOR RIYAN PARAG…..!!!
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 8, 2024
Captaining Assam, team following on, then came Captain and smashed hundred from just 56 balls in Ranji Trophy – One of the knocks to remember forever. 🔥⭐ pic.twitter.com/GSCGGnerQL
Naman Ojha (Madhya Pradesh) v Karnataka, 2014-15
3. Naman Ojha in 69 balls against Karnataka
Naman Ojha's century for Madhya Pradesh against Karnataka in the 2014-15 season is the third fastest in Ranji Trophy history. Ojha reached his hundred in 69 balls, displaying a remarkable array of shots. He finished with 115 runs off 81 balls, hitting nine sixes and eight fours. His innings was crucial in helping Madhya Pradesh secure a draw.
Eklavya Dwivedi (Uttar Pradesh) v Railways, 2014-15
4. Eklavya Dwivedi in 72 balls against Railways
Eklavya Dwivedi's century for Uttar Pradesh against Railways in the 2014-15 season ranks fourth. He reached the three-figure mark in just 72 balls. Dwivedi's unbeaten 102 off 73 balls, studded with 15 fours and 3 sixes, was a display of his batting prowess and played a pivotal role in Uttar Pradesh's victory.
Rishabh Pant (Delhi) v Jharkhand, 2016-17
5. Rishabh Pant in 82 balls against Jharkhand
Pant features again on this list with his century against Jharkhand in the 2016-17 season, this time taking 82 balls. Pant's innings of 117 runs off 106 balls, including eight sixes and nine fours, was a testament to his attacking style of play. Despite the match ending in a draw, Pant's innings remains a highlight of that season.
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These remarkable innings in the Ranji Trophy not only showcase the individual brilliance of the players but also contribute to the rich tapestry of Indian cricket. While on the on hand we have hard-fought double hundreds coming at a strike-rate less than 50, there are also these blistering knocks every now and then in the Ranji Trophy that take the cricket fans by surprise.
Parag’s heroics, which have come very often for Assam in the recent past, only goes on to show his remarkable talent. This might well be the confidence booster that the youngster needs as another IPL season comes in a few months. Will he be able to translate this form into big runs for Rajasthan?
