The Indian Premier League (IPL) is famous for its thrilling batting, fast sixes, and high scores. Batters usually aim to hit boundaries and score centuries quickly. However, some centuries have taken more time and effort than usual.
In a tournament known for fast runs, there are moments when patience becomes key. Sometimes, players must carefully build their innings due to tough pitches or challenging conditions. These slower centuries stand out as rare examples of strategy over speed.
Let’s explore the five slowest centuries ever in IPL, including Virat Kohli’s slow knock against the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024, which added his name to this unusual list.
List of Slowest 100s in Indian Premier League History
| Rank | Player | Balls Taken To Reach 100 | Team | Against | Location | Year |
| 1 | Virat Kohli | 67 | RCB | RR | Jaipur | 2024 |
| 2 | Manish Pandey | 67 | RCB | Deccan | Centurion | 2009 |
| 3 | Sachin Tendulkar | 66 | MI | Kochi | Mumbai | 2011 |
| 4 | David Warner | 66 | DC | KKR | Delhi | 2010 |
| 5 | Jos Buttler | 66 | RR | MI | Navi Mumbai | 2022 |
| 6 | Kevin Pietersen | 64 | DC | Deccan | Delhi | 2012 |
| 7 | KL Rahul | 63 | Punjab | MI | Mumbai | 2019 |
| 8 | Virat Kohli | 63 | RCB | Guj Lions | Rajkot | 2016 |
| 9 | Virat Kohli | 62 | RCB | SRH | Bengaluru | 2016 |
| 10 | Ambati Rayudu | 62 | CSK | SRH | Pune | 2018 |
Slowest Centuries In IPL
Here’s a look at the slowest centuries in IPL history, featuring legends like Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and David Warner.
Virat Kohli Slowest 100 In IPL (67 balls) – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL 2024
Virat Kohli, one of the greatest batters of all time, scored his eighth IPL century during the 2024 season at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium. He reached his hundred in 67 balls, making him one of the slowest centurions in IPL history, tied with former teammate Manish Pandey.
Kohli sped up in the final over, finishing unbeaten at 113 runs off 72 balls. Despite his efforts, RCB’s middle-order struggled, and his careful innings wasn’t enough. Rajasthan Royals easily chased the 184-run target, leaving Kohli’s hard-fought century in a losing effort.
Manish Pandey (67 balls) – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Deccan Chargers, IPL 2009
Manish Pandey, often seen as an underachiever, made history in IPL 2009 by becoming the first Indian to score a century in the tournament at just 19 years old. Opening the innings with Jacques Kallis against the Deccan Chargers, Pandey hit 10 boundaries and four sixes, scoring an unbeaten 114 runs off 73 balls in a match-winning performance at Centurion.
However, this special moment also brought an unusual record to Pandey’s name. He reached his century in 67 balls, making it one of the slowest centuries in IPL history.
Sachin Tendulkar (66 balls) – Mumbai Indians vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, IPL 2011
Sachin Tendulkar’s only IPL century came during a tough game for Mumbai Indians in 2011. Just weeks after winning the World Cup at Wankhede Stadium, Tendulkar returned to the same ground for an IPL match against Kochi Tuskers Kerala.
Opening the innings with Davy Jacobs and later batting with Ambati Rayudu, Tendulkar scored an unbeaten 100 runs. He reached his century on the last ball of the innings, taking 66 balls. His knock, which included 12 boundaries and three sixes, couldn’t save Mumbai Indians as Brendon McCullum and Mahela Jayawardene guided Kochi to victory.
At the time, Tendulkar’s innings was the joint-second slowest IPL century, tied with David Warner, until Jos Buttler joined the list in 2022.
David Warner (66 balls) – Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL 2010
David Warner, a star in the IPL with a T20 strike rate over 140, once played a slower century against KKR in 2010 at Delhi. Opening for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) with Virender Sehwag, Warner scored an unbeaten 107 runs in 69 balls, reaching his century on the 66th delivery.
He hit nine boundaries and five sixes, top-scoring for the Daredevils in their 177-run total. Despite the slower pace, Warner’s knock proved match-winning, helping Delhi defeat KKR by 40 runs.
Jos Buttler (66 balls) – Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2022
Rajasthan Royals opener Jos Buttler smashed four centuries during his ‘Orange Cap’ winning season in IPL 2022. His first hundred was the slowest, taking 66 balls against Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium.
After early dismissals of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal, Buttler took charge and steadied the innings with strong partnerships alongside Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer. He scored his first 50 runs in 32 balls and took 34 more deliveries to complete his century.
With 11 boundaries and five sixes, Buttler reached his hundred in 66 balls and eventually finished with a match-winning 68-ball century before getting out in the death overs.
Who has hit the slowest century in IPL 2024?
Virat Kohli, playing for RCB, scored the slowest century of IPL 2024. He reached his 100 runs in 67 balls during a match against Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur on April 6, 2024.
Who has hit the slowest century in the IPL History?
Virat Kohli from RCB and Manish Pandey share the record for the slowest century in IPL history. Both players needed 67 balls to complete their centuries.
