The fastest century in history: Chris Gayle hits 100 from just 30 balls in the IPL

West Indian sets sets record ton for Bangalore against Pune

Chris Gayle pictured batting for West Indies (GETTY IMAGES)

With 11 sixes and eight fours, Chris Gayle today took just 30 balls to break the record for the fastest century in cricket history.

Playing in the Indian Premier League for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, the West Indian's incredible century also included four singles, while there were just seven dot balls.

He went on to an unbeaten 175 from a total of 66 balls - the highest individual score in the IPL.

While so far the 33-year-old's record in the IPL this season has been hit-and-miss, among some low scores he has reached 85 off 50 balls and 92 off 58 in other matches. But today's opponents Pune Warriors were rocked by Gayle's attacking intent which included four sixes in just one over.

Gayle's century - his fourth in the IPL - also helped the Royal Challengers to the highest Twenty20 score, posting 264 for three, to beat Sri Lanka's 260 for six against Kenya in 2007.

The previous record for a century stood at 34 balls, set by Australia's Andrew Symonds, also in a Twenty20 match. The fastest Test century was recorded by another West Indian, Viv Richards, who took 56 balls to reach his ton in a match against England in 1986.

Ball-by-ball - How Gayle reached his ton...

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