The shortest format of international cricket has witnessed some spectacular batting performances over the years, with several young talents making their mark with breathtaking centuries. Among these emerging stars, South Africa‘s Dewald Brevis recently joined an elite group of young T20I centurions with a memorable knock that showcased his immense potential on the biggest stage.
Dewald Brevis smashes a blistering ton against Australia in the second T20I
Brevis announced himself to the cricket world in spectacular fashion during the second T20I between South Africa and Australia at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on August 12, 2025. The 22-year-old, fondly known as “Baby AB” in reference to his idol AB de Villiers, delivered a masterclass performance that will be remembered for years to come.
Brevis smashed an unbeaten 125 off just 56 balls, featuring 12 fours and eight sixes. His innings was a perfect blend of calculated aggression and sublime stroke-play, reaching his fifty in just 25 balls before accelerating to his century in 41 deliveries. The knock powered South Africa to an imposing total of 218 for seven, ultimately leading to a commanding 53-run victory that levelled the series.
What made Brevis’s innings truly special was not just the runs he scored, but the manner in which he dominated the Australian attack. He became the youngest South African to score a T20I century at 22 years and 105 days, while also recording the highest individual score by a South African in men’s T20Is. His performance included some spectacular shots, particularly his signature no-look sixes that had the cricket world in awe.
Top 5 youngest players with T20I hundreds
1. Hazratullah Zazai (Afghanistan)
At just 20 years and 337 days, Hazratullah Zazai holds the record as the youngest player to score a T20I century. His explosive knock came against Ireland on February 23, 2019, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, where he demolished the bowling attack with an unbeaten 162 off just 62 balls.
Zazai’s innings was nothing short of extraordinary, featuring 16 sixes and 11 fours as he struck at a phenomenal rate of 261.29. His knock helped Afghanistan post the highest-ever total in T20 internationals at the time – 278 for 3. The opening partnership with Usman Ghani was worth a record 236 runs, setting multiple records in the process. Afghanistan won the match by 84 runs, with Zazai’s performance earning him the Player of the Match award.
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal (India)
India‘s rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal became the second-youngest T20I centurion at 21 years and 279 days when he scored an unbeaten 100 against Nepal during the 2023 Asian Games. Playing at the Pingfeng Campus Cricket Field in Hangzhou on October 3, 2023, Jaiswal reached his maiden T20I century in just 49 balls.
His innings comprised eight fours and seven sixes, showcasing the full range of his strokeplay as India posted 202 for 4. Jaiswal’s knock broke Shubman Gill‘s record to become the youngest Indian to score a T20I century. The left-handed opener’s performance was instrumental in India’s 23-run victory over Nepal, securing their place in the Asian Games semifinals.
Also READ: Top 5 highest individual T20I scores by the South African player ft. Dewald Brevis
3. Tilak Varma (India)
At 22 years and 5 days, Tilak Varma made history by becoming one of the youngest T20I centurions and achieved the rare feat of scoring centuries in back-to-back T20I matches. His first hundred came against South Africa on November 13, 2024, in Centurion, where he scored an unbeaten 107 off 56 balls.
Just two days later, Varma followed up with an even more spectacular performance in Johannesburg, smashing 120 not out off 47 balls in the fourth T20I. His twin centuries helped him break Virat Kohli‘s record for most runs in a T20I bilateral series, accumulating 280 runs in four matches at an average of 140. The partnership with Sanju Samson in the final match was worth 210 runs, setting multiple records as India posted their second-highest T20I total of 283.
4. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan)
Afghanistan‘s wicket-keeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz joined the elite club at 22 years and 31 days when he scored his maiden T20I century against the UAE on December 29, 2023. Playing at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Gurbaz crafted a brilliant 100 off 52 balls, featuring seven boundaries and seven sixes.
His knock was the cornerstone of Afghanistan’s 203 for 3, with Gurbaz forming a crucial 137-run partnership with captain Ibrahim Zadran for the second wicket. Afghanistan went on to win the match by 72 runs, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Gurbaz was deservedly named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.
5. Dewald Brevis (South Africa)
Brevis completed this exclusive group at 22 years and 105 days with his magnificent 125 not out against Australia. His innings was a testament to his talent and potential, as he became the second-fastest South African to reach a T20I century, only behind David Miller‘s 35-ball century against Bangladesh in 2017.
Also READ: Fans erupt as Dewald Brevis’ blazing ton powers South Africa to series-levelling win in 2nd T20I
