In a tournament where sixes fly and batsmen often chase quick milestones, there are some rare innings that take a different route — the Slowest Centuries in IPL. These are not the usual fast-paced hundreds that set the stadiums on fire. Instead, they are slow, calculated centuries where the batsman chooses grit over glamour and control over chaos. These centuries remind us that timing, composure, and match awareness can be just as important as brute force.
Here, we take a detailed look at the Top 5 Slowest Centuries in IPL History, listed from number 5 to number 1, featuring players who showed that smart cricket can win games even in the high-octane world of T20.
5. Jos Buttler
Known worldwide for his explosive batting and aggressive intent, Jos Buttler shocked many in the IPL 2022 when he delivered one of the Slowest Centuries in IPL history. Playing for Rajasthan Royals against Mumbai Indians in Navi Mumbai, Buttler took 66 balls to reach his hundred, but it was an innings of intelligence, patience, and adaptability.
The pitch offered little to the batters, and the MI bowling attack came hard at the Royals early on. Buttler, instead of going after every delivery, showed maturity by assessing the conditions. He began cautiously, building his innings one step at a time. Once he was set, he increased the tempo just enough to ensure Rajasthan remained competitive. While he didn’t entertain the crowd with continuous sixes, his ability to play within the game’s demands was a standout feature — a performance that now finds mention among the Slowest Centuries in IPL history.
Buttler’s knock was a lesson in how to play smart cricket in difficult conditions. His century helped Rajasthan Royals stay in the contest and underlined his versatility as a modern-day T20 batsman.
| Player | Balls to 100 | Team | Opponent |
| Jos Buttler | 66 | Rajasthan Royals | Mumbai Indians |
4. David Warner
David Warner, one of the IPL’s most consistent and destructive openers, produced one of the Slowest Centuries in IPL history in 2010 while playing for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). Facing Kolkata Knight Riders at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi, Warner took 66 balls to complete his century — a far cry from his usual high-strike-rate performances.
His start was relatively aggressive, as expected, but as wickets fell at the other end, Warner changed gears. He chose to stay at the crease and play the anchor role. He played fewer risky shots and focused on rotating the strike, ensuring that Delhi didn’t lose momentum despite the pressure. His ability to read the match situation and take responsibility for the innings was on full display — a performance often compared to some of the Slowest Centuries in IPL history due to its calculated and patient approach.
This century was not about dominance; it was about determination. Warner showed he could play both roles — the aggressor and the stabilizer — proving how complete a player he truly is.
| Player | Balls to 100 | Team | Opponent |
| David Warner | 66 | Delhi Daredevils | Kolkata Knight Riders |
3. Sachin Tendulkar
In IPL 2011, Sachin Tendulkar crafted one of the most elegant and composed centuries ever witnessed in the league — a knock that also finds its place among the Slowest Centuries in IPL. Playing for Mumbai Indians against the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala at Wankhede Stadium, Sachin reached his hundred in 66 deliveries. What made this innings special wasn’t just the number of balls but the way he played each of them — with sheer grace, technique, and a calm mindset.
Tendulkar’s innings was a masterpiece in classical batting. In an era where big-hitting T20 style ruled, he stuck to his strengths — timing, placement, and finding the gaps. He wasn’t in a hurry. Instead, he focused on building a solid base and guiding the innings with intelligence. It was one of the Slowest Centuries in IPL history, built through smart partnerships and steady scoring, all while maintaining control over the game.
The roar of the Wankhede crowd as Sachin reached his century was not just for the milestone, but for the quality of cricket on display. This innings proved that even in T20s, elegance and patience still have their place.
| Player | Balls to 100 | Team | Opponent |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 66 | Mumbai Indians | Kochi Tuskers Kerala |
2. Manish Pandey
In 2009, a young Manish Pandey made headlines across the cricketing world by becoming the first Indian to score a century in the IPL. Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Deccan Chargers at Centurion in South Africa, Pandey’s innings was both historic and memorable. Taking 67 balls to reach his hundred, it became one of the slowest centuries in IPL history but also one of the most iconic.
At a time when RCB needed someone to step up and anchor the innings, Pandey rose to the occasion. He showed maturity far beyond his years, pacing his innings cautiously and ensuring that his team had a strong platform. The knock wasn’t filled with flashy shots or wild aggression — it was built on a strong foundation of technique, timing, and calm temperament, earning a spot among the Slowest Centuries in IPL.
Pandey’s innings was a major moment not only for his own career but also for Indian cricket, showing that young Indian players could stand tall and deliver under pressure in global tournaments like the IPL.
| Player | Balls to 100 | Team | Opponent |
| Manish Pandey | 67 | Royal Challengers | Deccan Chargers |
1. Virat Kohli
Topping the list of Slowest Centuries in IPL history is a recent effort from Virat Kohli. In IPL 2024, Kohli scored a century off 67 balls against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. This innings wasn’t just about scoring runs — it was about showing resilience, leadership, and the ability to guide a team through tough phases.
RCB had lost early wickets and the batting lineup was under pressure. Kohli held his ground, choosing not to chase the game but instead play with composure and intelligence. He focused on preserving his wicket, building partnerships, and finding singles to keep the scoreboard ticking. His controlled innings ensured RCB stayed in the match and gave the middle order a platform to push towards a competitive total.
Though not a quick-fire century, it was a crucial one. Kohli’s calmness, smart shot selection, and mental strength made it a classic example of how to play a valuable innings even when the strike rate isn’t soaring.
| Player | Balls to 100 | Team | Opponent |
| Virat Kohli | 67 | Royal Challengers | Rajasthan Royals |
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