The arrival of the T20 format in the world of cricket has offered fans a new kind of excitement. This game of fewer overs showcases the talent of fast-paced batsmen.
Sports News: The T20 format brought a new revolution to the world of cricket. This game of short overs was created for aggressive batsmen, making matches thrilling and entertaining for spectators. Today, September 11, 2025, marks 18 years since the historic innings by Chris Gayle, who scored the first century in T20 international cricket. Gayle's innings not only gave birth to the aggressive style of T20 cricket but also earned him the title of 'Universe Boss'.
The First T20 Century Innings: September 11, 2007
T20 international cricket began in 2005, but the first century came two years later. On September 11, 2007, in a match played between the West Indies and South Africa in Johannesburg, Gayle created cricket history. This match was part of the first T20 World Cup in 2007. Batting first, West Indies scored 205/6 in 20 overs. The biggest highlight of this innings was Chris Gayle's explosive batting. He smashed 117 runs off just 57 balls.
In this historic innings, Chris Gayle hit 10 sixes and 7 fours. His strike rate was over 205. This century not only created history by becoming the first century in a T20 World Cup but also became the first three-figure score in T20 international cricket. His towering sixes and aggressive strokes thrilled the spectators. During this innings, Gayle proved that aggression is the key to success in T20 cricket.
West Indies' Score and Team Performance
Thanks to Gayle's century, West Indies posted a massive score of 205/6 in 20 overs. Apart from him, Devon Smith scored 35 runs. Other players in the team could not sustain themselves to contribute to this huge score.
- Marlon Samuels – 6 runs
- Shivnarine Chanderpaul – 11 runs
- Dwayne Smith – 1 run
- Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan – 12 runs
However, Gayle's explosive innings completely put the opposition bowlers on the backfoot.
South Africa's Brilliant Chase
Despite West Indies' mammoth score, South Africa easily chased down the target. With the help of brilliant innings from captain Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs, and Justin Kemp, South Africa scored 208 runs in 17.4 overs to win the match by 8 wickets.
- Graeme Smith: 28 runs (21 balls)
- AB de Villiers: 16 runs (9 balls)
- Herschelle Gibbs: 90 runs (55 balls, 14 fours, 2 sixes)
- Justin Kemp: 46 runs (22 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes)
Chris Gayle Becomes Man of the Match
Although West Indies lost the match, Chris Gayle's name remained the star of this game. Considering his explosive performance, he was chosen as the Man of the Match. This innings proved to be the foundation for making Gayle the 'King of T20'. His aggressive shots inspired cricket fans and young players worldwide. After this century, Gayle established his image as the Universe Boss in T20 cricket.
