IPL's Top 5 Centuries at the Slowest Pace

In the fast-paced arena of the IPL, amidst boundaries and sixes frenzy, the game occasionally requires patience and perseverance. Batsmen often achieve centuries swiftly, but on certain surfaces and playing conditions, they must meticulously construct their innings, challenging the usual rapid-fire run-scoring norm.

Let's explore the five slowest centuries ever recorded in IPL history, until tournament legend Virat Kohli joined the list with his sluggish innings against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024.

5 Slowest Centuries In IPL History

5. David Warner (Delhi Capitals) - 66 balls vs KKR, IPL 2010

In 2010 at Delhi, IPL heavyweight David Warner, boasting a staggering T20 strike rate of over 140, had to labour for a century against KKR. He opened the innings for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) alongside Virender Sehwag, scoring 107 unbeaten runs off 69 balls. He reached triple-digits by the 66th delivery of his innings.

The dashing opener smashed nine boundaries and five sixes in total, ending up as the top scorer for the Daredevils in their 177-run total upfront. David Warner's unconventional knock proved to be match-winning for his side, as they defeated KKR by 40 runs in the game.

4. Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals) - 66 balls vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2022

During his 'Orange Cap'-winning run in IPL 2022, Rajasthan Royals opener Jos Buttler smashed four centuries. He scored the first of those hundreds, the slowest, taking 66 deliveries against Mumbai Indians to reach the landmark figure at the DY Patil Stadium.

Following the loss of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal, the senior Englishman spearheaded Rajasthan Royals' recovery by forming blistering partnerships with Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer. Buttler took 32 balls to score his first 50 runs and slightly more time (34 deliveries) to reach his next fifty.

Jos Buttler, assisted by 11 boundaries and five sixes, reached his hundred off 66 balls. Eventually, he returned to the sheds in the death overs with a match-winning century and scored in 68 balls.

3. Sachin Tendulkar (Mumbai Indians) - 66 balls vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, IPL 2011

Sachin Tendulkar, the milestone man, achieved his solitary IPL century in an uneventful match for Mumbai Indians. A couple of weeks after lifting the 2011 World Cup trophy at the Wankhede Stadium, he returned to his home venue, albeit for Mumbai Indians' IPL clash against the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala side.

Opening the innings with Davy Jacobs and spending much of his time with Ambati Rayudu, Tendulkar scored 100 unbeaten runs, reaching his milestone figure off the final ball of the innings. His 66-ball century, comprising 12 boundaries and three sixes, came in a losing cause for Mumbai Indians due to a couple of run-chase masterclasses from Brendon McCullum and Mahela Jayawardene later in the game.

At the time, the innings stood as the joint-second slowest century in IPL history, alongside David Warner, until Jos Buttler joined the duo in 2022.

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2. Manish Pandey (RCB) - 67 balls vs Deccan Chargers, IPL 2009

In IPL 2009, Manish Pandey, a perennial underachiever, achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian cricketer to score an IPL century at the age of 19. He opened the innings alongside the great Jacques Kallis against the now-defunct Deccan Chargers unit. Pandey swatted 10 boundaries and four sixes at Centurion in his match-winning 73-ball 114*-run knock.

Significantly, the occasion also marked an unwanted record in Pandey's IPL profile. He completed his 100 from 67 balls, making the innings one of the slowest hundreds ever recorded in IPL history.

1. Virat Kohli (RCB) - 67 balls vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL 2024

In the 2024 edition of the tournament at Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the all-time batting great, Virat Kohli scored his eighth IPL century. He reached his hundred off 67 balls in the penultimate over of the innings, matching former teammate Manish Pandey in becoming IPL's slowest centurion.

However, Kohli picked up the pace in the final over, concluding at 113* off 72 balls. Despite RCB's entire middle-order crumbling at the death, Virat Kohli's calculated effort resulted in a loss for his team as Rajasthan Royals easily chased down their 184-run target.

Conclusion

In conclusion, IPL's Top 5 Centuries at the Slowest Pace showcase batter's diverse strategies and skills in the league. While some centuries were achieved with blistering speed, others, like those discussed here, highlight the importance of patience and perseverance. For real-time updates on IPL matches and more, cricket enthusiasts can rely on the Fast Live Line app and website. Fans can stay engaged and informed throughout the tournament with features like Cricket Live Line and expert insights from Live Line Guru. Download the Fast Live Line app or visit the website today!