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Ranji Trophy 2024: Fastest Hundred in Ranji Trophy History Unleashed

In the tapestry of Indian cricket, the Ranji Trophy threads a path of grit and glory. More than just a tournament, it’s a crucible, forging raw talent into seasoned stars. For decades, its pitches have witnessed the birth of legends – Tendulkar’s grace, Kumble’s spin, Dravid’s wall. It’s where dreams meet dedication, where passion fuels countless hours of practice. Beyond individual brilliance, the Ranji fosters a spirit of regional pride, each team carrying the aspirations of their state. From Mumbai’s cricketing dynasty to Tamil Nadu’s spin symphony, each victory echoes in hearts beyond the boundary.

The Ranji Trophy has seen a change in recent years because of the new generation and the rise of T20. Runs have started accumulating at a quicker pace in recent years. Over the years, we have seen some exciting records being created and broken in the tournament including those for the fastest centuries.

Here’s a look at the 5 fastest hundreds in the tournament’s history:

Rishabh Pant (48 balls)

In a game against Jharkhand in 2016, Rishabh Pant, the swashbuckling wicket-keeper batter, who is known for his fearless and often audacious strokeplay, unleashed a whirlwind innings, carving up a 48-ball century. This wasn’t just a quick-fire knock; it was a display of brute power, calculated aggression, and unwavering intent that left the opposition bowlers shell-shocked and the cricket enthusiasts enthralled. He came in to bat with Delhi’s score being 214-3 during the follow-on. Pant knew the onus was on him to get some runs and help the team salvage a draw. He never seemed fazed by the situation, exuding an air of confidence that soon translated into action. From the very first ball, Pant’s intent was clear. He welcomed the pacers with disdain, dispatching them over the ropes with disdainful ease.

While the eventual number – 135 off 67 balls, with 13 sixes and 8 fours – tell a remarkable story, they only capture a part of the magic Pant conjured up. It was the audacity of his strokeplay, the unwavering confidence in his ability, and the sheer joy he seemed to derive from dominating the attack that truly left everyone spellbound.

Riyan Parag (56 balls)

Riyan Parag created history today as he smashed a 56-ball century in his team’s opening game against Chhattisgarh. The opposition had scored 327 in the first innings following which Assam could only manage to put together a total of 159. Thus, the follow-on was enforced on Parag’s side.

In the tapestry of Indian cricket, the Ranji Trophy threads a path of grit and glory. More than just a tournament, it’s a crucible, forging raw talent into seasoned stars. For decades, its pitches have witnessed the birth of legends – Tendulkar’s grace, Kumble’s spin, Dravid’s wall. It’s where dreams meet dedication, where passion fuels countless hours of practice.

Beyond individual brilliance, the Ranji fosters a spirit of regional pride, each team carrying the aspirations of their state. From Mumbai’s cricketing dynasty to Tamil Nadu’s spin symphony, each victory echoes in hearts beyond the boundary.

In the second innings, Parag came in to bat with Assam’s score being 78-2. Wickets were falling like a pack of cards and Parag was left with no support from any of the batters at the opposite end which led him to take an ultra-aggressive route to get some quick runs. He went on to smash 155 off just 87 deliveries with his century coming in just 56 balls. Parag’s glittering innings was studded with 11 fours and 12 sixes and he ended with a destructive strike-rate of 178.16. Although Assam is still bound to lose the game, Parag’s innings will go down as one of the best in the history of the tournament. It was a one-man show which saved Assam from a lot of embarrassment.

Naman Ojha (69 balls)

In cricket, some innings defy convention, where boundaries blur between calculated aggression and sheer audacity. Naman Ojha’s 69-ball century in the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy against Karnataka falls squarely in this category. It was a whirlwind performance, a masterclass in power hitting that left jaws agape and redefined the tempo of red-ball cricket.

Madhya Pradesh faced an uphill battle in Indore. Karnataka had amassed a mammoth 522 in response to their first innings score of 303innings, and the hosts needed a good batting show to eke out a draw. Enter Naman Ojha, the wicket-keeper batsman with a reputation for solidity rather than flamboyance. He came in to bat when the score was 63-2 and an innings defeat was very much on the cards. This prompted Ojha to bat positively in a bid to reduce the deficit. The Karnataka bowlers, who had started with an air of arrogance, were suddenly scrambling. Every delivery seemed to meet the same fate- dispatched to the furthest corners of the ground. Ojha didn’t just swing hard; he played smart, using the pace of the bowlers and gaps in the field to his advantage. The scoreboard ticked over at an insane pace, leaving commentators breathless and fans speechless.

He reached his century landmark in just 69 balls, setting a new record for the fastest ton in the competition’s history, which was later broken by Rishabh Pant. Ojha’s innings did more than just draw a match for Madhya Pradesh. It redefined the possibilities of batting in the Ranji Trophy. It showed that even in the traditional bastion of attritional cricket, aggression could be a potent weapon. His performance served as an inspiration to young batsmen to believe in their ability to play shots and dominate bowling attacks.

Eklavya Dwivedi (72 balls)

Back in February 2015, Eklavya Dwivedi, a young Uttar Pradesh batsman smashed a remarkable 72-ball century against Railways wasn’t just a collection of runs; it was a superb innings laced with 3 sixes and 15 boundaries. Chasing 243 on the final day, Uttar Pradesh required something special from someone to steer the team across the victory line, especially since most of the top-order players were being extremely conservative in their approach.

Dwivedi smashed 102 off 73 balls to win the game for Uttar Pradesh, leaving Railways stunned. With the crowd on its feet and the Railways bowlers visibly frustrated, The confidence he exuded against experienced bowlers, and the sheer elegance of his strokeplay truly took everyone’s breath away.

Rishabh Pant (82 balls)

Rishabh Pant features in this list once again. That’s the kind of player he is, one who always keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. However, what’s even more remarkable is the fact that this 82-ball ton by Pant came in the same game in which he scored the 48-ball century. This one came in the first innings as Delhi responded to Jharkhand’s score of 493. At 74-3, Delhi looked in all sorts of trouble but Pant, along with Unmukt Chand scored marvelous centuries to keep them in the game.

Pant ended with 117 off just 106 balls which helped Delhi post a total of 334, still less in comparison to what Jharkhand had scored. Still, it allowed them to remain in the game and eventually earn a draw, which was again down to fantastic effort by Pant in the second essay. His twin centuries made him a household name and from there on, his rise has been meteoric.