Cricket Records • T20I Milestones
First International T20 Century: Chris Gayle’s Trailblazing 117 (2007)
On September 11, 2007, in the opening game of the inaugural ICC World T20 at Johannesburg, Chris Gayle smashed the first-ever T20I hundred — a thunderous 117 — and rewrote the format’s possibilities.
Before the Blast: Setting the Stage
International T20 cricket was still a newborn format in 2007. While domestic leagues had tasted success, skeptics questioned whether the 20-over game could produce high-quality, high-stakes international contests. The 2007 ICC World T20, hosted by South Africa, was designed to answer that — and it answered emphatically from the very first ball.
West Indies opened against hosts South Africa at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. Enter Christopher Henry Gayle — opening the batting, setting a tone that would echo through every global T20 league for years to come.
Ball-by-Ball Momentum: How 117 Happened
Gayle started watchful but brutalized anything in his hitting arc. His range was classic Gayle: towering hits over long-on and midwicket, rocket pulls, and clean strikes down the ground. Partnerships kept momentum intact, and even regular wickets at the other end couldn’t stem the run-flow.
- Powerplay Surge: Quick acceleration with multiple sixes; bowlers struggled with length.
- Middle Overs Control: Smart strike rotation with calculated boundary bursts.
- Death Overs Finish: Maximums returned; West Indies finished at a commanding 205/6.
The twist? Despite Gayle’s historic hundred, South Africa chased 206 with time to spare — a reminder of how unforgiving T20 can be. Herschelle Gibbs led a blistering reply to seal a win at 208/2 (17.4 overs).
Key Stats & Scorecard Snapshot
| Player | Runs (Balls) | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Team Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Gayle (WI) | 117 (57) | 7 | 10 | 205+ | WI 205/6 | SA won by 8 wickets (208/2 in 17.4) |
Match: South Africa vs West Indies, ICC World T20 2007 (Opening Match), Johannesburg.
Why This Innings Mattered
1) A New Bar for T20I Batting
Gayle’s 117 was the format’s first hundred and instantly proved that centuries were not only possible in 20 overs, they could be match-defining — or in this case, almost match-defining.
2) Blueprint for Power Hitters
The innings showcased a template modern openers still follow: maximize powerplay, keep a boundary option every over, and finish with a late burst.
3) Entertainment Value Meets High Skill
The spectacle converted many skeptics. Broadcasters, leagues, and fans saw T20’s ceiling — and its commercial future.
Related Firsts & Milestones
- First T20I century overall: Chris Gayle — 117 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 11 Sep 2007.
- First Indian T20I century: Suresh Raina — 101 vs South Africa, Gros Islet, 02 May 2010 (ICC World T20).
- First T20I century in a chase to win: (Various instances later; notable early example includes Mahela Jayawardene’s 100*, 2010.)
- Team outcome lesson: Even a T20I hundred doesn’t guarantee victory — as this very match showed.
Milestones above are historically stable; specific “fastest” and “highest” records in T20Is evolve frequently. Always check the latest stats database for current holders.
Quick Takeaways
- Chris Gayle’s 117 was the first T20I hundred and came in the first World T20 match ever played.
- West Indies posted 205/6; South Africa replied with 208/2, winning by 8 wickets.
- The innings helped define the power-hitter opener role that dominates modern T20 cricket.
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