Slowest Hundred: The Indian Premier League (IPL) is famous for its fast-paced, high-scoring matches, where batsmen often score quickly to set or chase challenging targets. However, there are times when players have scored centuries at a much slower pace, illustrating the importance of playing according to the match situation, building partnerships, and taking calculated risks. While fast centuries are often the talk of the town, slow hundreds are also remarkable, as they highlight a batsman’s ability to stay at the crease for long periods, absorb pressure, and anchor the innings.
Murali Vijay (63 Balls)
The slowest hundred in IPL history was scored by Murali Vijay during the 2010 IPL season while playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) against Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). Vijay scored a 100 off 63 balls, which, though still a rapid pace for a T20 century, was the slowest among all centuries in the league’s history. His knock is particularly memorable because it came at a time when the typical T20 strike rate was often well above 130 or 140, especially for a batsman reaching the three-figure mark.
Murali Vijay’s century was built on patience and application. He was forced to anchor the innings, as his team faced a few early wickets. His knock included 6 sixes and 6 fours, which helped his team post a total of 180/5 in their allotted 20 overs. While the strike rate of his century may not be the highest, it proved to be effective in the context of the match.
Table 1: Slowest Centuries in IPL (by Balls Faced)
| Rank | Player | Team | Opposition | Match Date | Balls Faced | Runs Scored | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Murali Vijay | Chennai Super Kings | Delhi Daredevils | 2010 | 63 | 100 | 158.73 |
| 2 | Gautam Gambhir | Kolkata Knight Riders | Kings XI Punjab | 2012 | 54 | 93 | 172.22 |
| 3 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bangalore | Gujarat Lions | 2016 | 52 | 100 | 192.30 |
| 4 | Ajinkya Rahane | Rajasthan Royals | Kolkata Knight Riders | 2013 | 53 | 104 | 196.22 |
| 5 | David Warner | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kolkata Knight Riders | 2017 | 56 | 126 | 168.75 |
Murali Vijay’s Match-winning Knock
Murali Vijay’s century was crucial in setting a competitive total for his team, Chennai Super Kings, in IPL 2010. Although it wasn’t the fastest, it demonstrated the importance of anchoring an innings in a high-pressure scenario. Here’s a breakdown of why Vijay’s knock is noteworthy:
- Patience and Building an Innings: Vijay was forced to play a more measured role as he was one of the senior players in the lineup. With his team losing a few quick wickets early on, he took his time to build a stable foundation, working the ball around and taking calculated risks when necessary. His 63-ball century is a perfect example of playing the situation rather than focusing purely on scoring quickly.
- Timing and Placement: Although the strike rate of Vijay’s century was not the highest, his ability to time the ball and place it into gaps ensured he kept rotating the strike and found the boundaries when needed. His sixes and fours weren’t all huge, but they were well-placed, ensuring a steady flow of runs.
- Match Context: The context of the match required Vijay to bat sensibly. Chennai’s total of 180/5 in their 20 overs was competitive at the time, and it allowed the bowlers to defend a reasonable target. Vijay’s contribution was vital, as he anchored the innings and allowed the team to build partnerships.
- Pressurizing the Opposition: By scoring slowly but steadily, Vijay ensured that the opposition bowlers did not have the opportunity to bowl aggressively. His ability to play both fast and spin bowling with composure allowed him to control the tempo, forcing Delhi Daredevils to chase under pressure.
Table 2: Analysis of Slow Centuries in IPL (Top Players)
| Rank | Player | Team | Opposition | Match Date | Balls Faced | Runs Scored | Boundaries (4s/6s) | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Murali Vijay | Chennai Super Kings | Delhi Daredevils | 2010 | 63 | 100 | 6/6 | 158.73 |
| 2 | Gautam Gambhir | Kolkata Knight Riders | Kings XI Punjab | 2012 | 54 | 93 | 12/3 | 172.22 |
| 3 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bangalore | Gujarat Lions | 2016 | 52 | 100 | 9/4 | 192.30 |
| 4 | Ajinkya Rahane | Rajasthan Royals | Kolkata Knight Riders | 2013 | 53 | 104 | 7/5 | 196.22 |
| 5 | David Warner | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kolkata Knight Riders | 2017 | 56 | 126 | 7/6 | 168.75 |
Why Slow Hundreds are Important in IPL
While the fastest centuries often take the spotlight, slow hundreds in IPL are equally significant. Here’s why slow hundreds can be as impactful in a T20 match:
- Situational Awareness: A slow century often comes in situations where the team has lost quick wickets or when the pitch conditions are tough. In such cases, the batsman must pace their innings, taking time to stabilize the team’s position before shifting gears. A slow century is an excellent example of situational awareness, where the batsman recognizes the need to anchor the innings rather than go for quick runs.
- Building Partnerships: A slow hundred allows the batsman to play the role of an anchor. This can provide stability in the middle overs and set a platform for the others to accelerate later. Slow centuries often occur when the batsman is building partnerships and providing the much-needed stability in the middle phase of the innings.
- Strategic Play: In the T20 format, a batsman must often play according to the field placements and conditions. A slow hundred is often the result of playing a smart game, rotating strike, finding gaps, and accumulating runs in a controlled manner rather than just going after boundaries. This often puts pressure on the fielding side by denying them easy wickets.
- Defending a Modest Total: In some matches, a slow century is crucial in posting a total that can be defended successfully by the bowling attack. The focus is not only on scoring quickly but also on ensuring the team has a respectable total to defend. This is particularly true when a batting collapse occurs early, and the batsman must rebuild the innings.
- Mental Strength: Scoring a slow century also requires immense mental strength. The batsman must remain focused and composed for a longer period, adjusting to the changing conditions and adapting to the bowlers’ plans. This mental resilience can often be the difference between winning and losing.
Notable Slow Hundreds in IPL
While Murali Vijay’s century remains the slowest, other notable slow centuries have been scored by top IPL players such as Virat Kohli, David Warner, Ajinkya Rahane, and Gautam Gambhir. These players have shown that in certain circumstances, slow but steady innings are as crucial as aggressive, high-strike-rate centuries.
- Gautam Gambhir (54 balls for 93 runs, 2012 IPL): Gambhir, known for his steady approach, managed to score a slow but effective hundred, anchoring Kolkata Knight Riders’ innings in difficult conditions.
- Virat Kohli (52 balls for 100 runs, 2016 IPL): Kohli’s century was an example of how a captain can play a steady and smart innings, ensuring that his team reaches a competitive total with proper placement and timing.
- Ajinkya Rahane (53 balls for 104 runs, 2013 IPL): Rahane’s century demonstrated the importance of building an innings with composure and consistency, particularly in a run-chase scenario.
- David Warner (56 balls for 126 runs, 2017 IPL): Warner’s innings was slow by T20 standards but effective in the context of his team’s need for a stable, anchored inning before accelerating.
Conclusion
The slowest century in IPL history, scored by Murali Vijay in 2010, remains a reminder that in T20 cricket, scoring quickly isn’t always the only way to contribute to the team. Vijay’s 63-ball century, while slower than most IPL centuries, played an integral part in building a competitive total. In a format where aggressive batting is glorified, it’s important to recognize that slow centuries have their place as well, showing a batsman’s temperament, match awareness, and ability to adapt to different situations. These slow hundreds are often the bedrock upon which successful team strategies are built, and they play a crucial role in winning close matches.