On This Day: Chris Gayle's First Century in International T20 (2007)

Australia's Glenn Maxwell and India's Rohit Sharma each have five centuries in international T20s, while India's Suryakumar Yadav has four. Pakistan's Babar Azam, New Zealand's Colin Munro, UAE's Muhammad Waseem, and the Czech Republic's Sabawoon Davizi each have three. However, the first-ever international T20 century came from West Indies' Chris Gayle.

With strike rates of 60.26 in Tests, 87.19 in ODIs, and 137.50 in international T20s, Gayle, the Jamaican left-handed batter, is renowned for his power hitting.

On this day in 2007 (September 11), during the opening match of the 2007 ICC World T20, Gayle smashed the first international T20 century against host South Africa.

At Johannesburg’s New Wanderers Stadium, West Indies batted first, posting a total of 205/6 in 20 overs.

Opening the innings, Gayle scored a commanding 117 off 57 balls, including 7 fours and 10 sixes.

Despite his record-breaking century, it was in vain, as South Africa chased the target. Herschelle Gibbs and Justin Kemp led the charge with aggressive batting. Gibbs, opening for South Africa, scored 90* off 55 balls, hitting 14 fours and 2 sixes, while Kemp, batting at number four, added an unbeaten 46 off 22 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes.

South Africa reached the target in 17.4 overs with only two wickets down. Despite the loss, Chris Gayle's historic century earned him the Player of the Match award.