Cricket is one of the world’s most popular sports, but the thrill of batting is something else. No sound is sweeter than that of the crowd when a batsman hits a six. The nation loves to sit and watch batsmen bat, especially the One-Day Internationals((ODI).
While in the short-format T20 format, the batsmen are restricted by overs and come and go very quickly, in ODI fans get to see their favorite ones for a longer time and show off their skills to the fullest. Centuries- when a player scores 100 runs, are very common for an ODI game and are a big achievement for any player.
Most of the world’s top batsmen boast multiple centuries to their credit. Today, we scan the list of players who have scored the most hundreds in ODI cricket history. Dive in to know who they are.
List of the top 10 players With the most centuries in ODI cricket
If you are wondering about the top players with the most hundreds in ODI, here we have listed the top 10 players you can explore below-
| Player | Country | Matches | Inns | Runs | HS | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli* | India | 295 | 283 | 13906 | 183 | 50 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 463 | 452 | 18426 | 200* | 49 |
| Rohit Sharma* | India | 265 | 257 | 10866 | 264 | 31 |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | 375 | 365 | 13704 | 164 | 30 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 445 | 433 | 13430 | 189 | 28 |
| Hashim Amla | South Africa | 181 | 178 | 8113 | 159 | 27 |
| Chris Gayle | West Indies | 301 | 294 | 10480 | 215 | 25 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 404 | 380 | 14234 | 169 | 25 |
| AB de Villiers | South Africa | 228 | 218 | 9577 | 176 | 25 |
| David Warner | Australia | 161 | 159 | 6932 | 179 | 22 |
Players With Most Hundreds in ODI
All the top 3 who have the most hundreds in ODI are Indians. Virat Kohli tops the list followed by Sachin Tendulkar. Rohit Sharma is at number 3 but way behind in numbers. Others aren’t even in the league. Kohli and Rohit are the only active players in the list of players with the Top 10 most ODI centuries.
1. Virat Kohli (2008- Till date)
Virat Kohli– (The King ) is arguably one of the best batsmen in ODI the game has ever seen. He was one of the successful captains of the Indian cricket team and is also known for his exceptional batting skills. Kohli has already achieved 50 centuries in ODIs and exceeded Sachin Tendulkar’s record in the World Cup in 2023. He also has the second-most centuries in international cricket at 80. However, Kohli achieved the milestone in fewer innings and with a better average and strike rate than Tendulkar.
2. Sachin Tendulkar(1989-2012)
The Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar is termed the “God of Cricket” and for all the right reasons. In the course of a career that has stretched over two decades, Tendulkar has created many unbreakable records. He became the first man to score a double century in ODI cricket, the player with most international centuries and most runs in international cricket. Tendulkar has scored 49 centuries in 452 innings with the highest score of 200 in an ODI. His record will soon be broken by another Indian cricket icon, Virat Kohli, but other records seem almost inconceivable.
3. Rohit Sharma(2007- Till date)
Rohit Sharma ( The Hitman) is the current captain of the Indian cricket team in ODI and Test format and a brilliant opener. He has scored 31 hundreds in 251 innings with a highest score of 264. He is known as a powerful hitter and holds the score for highest individual score and second-highest six(331) hitting record in ODI cricket. Rohit also has the record for most double centuries(3) in ODI cricket.
4. Ricky Ponting(1995-2012)
Ricky Ponting is one of the world’s best batsmen in ODIs and a gifted leader, who scored 30 ODI centuries for Australia during their dominant era in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He had the skills of an anchor and was capable of attacking bowlers, making him a double-edged sword. Many of his centuries came in critical matches and World Cups, solidifying his status as one of the greats in cricket history.
5. Sanath Jayasuriya(1989-2011)
Sanath Jayasuriya simply changed the way openers approached ODI cricket. His explosive batting form, which he had for scoring quickly, changed the connotation of the game around him. Jayasuriya was an important figure for Sri Lanka as they won the 1996 World Cup by recording 28 centuries. His aggressive play helped him garner runs besides setting the tone for high-scoring matches.
6. Hashim Amla(2008-2019)
Hashim Amla is known for his elegant batting and ability to score Test centuries under various conditions. He has been a cornerstone of South Africa’s batting setup, scoring 27 ODI centuries. His calm demeanor and excellent technique make him a fan favorite.
7. Chris Gayle(1999-2019)
Chris Gayle, also known as the Universe Boss, has made a name for himself with his power-hitting and entertaining style. He has scored 25 centuries and is known for his massive shots and quick runs, particularly in World Cups and T20 formats.
8. Kumar Sangakkara(2000-2015)
Kumar Sangakkara, the left-handed prolific wicketkeeper-batsman of Sri Lanka, is known for his elegant batting and remarkable consistency. He scored 25 centuries and played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s World Cup triumphs in 2003 and 2007 and is renowned for his ability to stabilize and accelerate when needed.
9. AB de Villiers(2005-2018)
AB de Villiers, known as Mr. 360, is an innovative and unconventional batsman with 25 ODI centuries. He holds the record for the fastest ODI century, achieved in just 31 balls. His ability to play innovative shots while keeping composure made him one of the most feared batsmen in the format, revolutionizing batting.
10. David Warner(2009-2023)
David Warner is a dominant and explosive Australian opener with 22 ODI centuries. His quick scoring and fearless attitude make him a game-changer in high-pressure situations, crucial for Australia’s ODI victories. Warner’s adaptability and ability to score heavily across formats have made him one of the modern greats in limited-overs cricket.
List of Most ODI Centuries in 2023 (Active Players)
- Virat Kohli (50)
- Rohit Sharma (31)
- Quinton de Kock-QDK (21)
- Babar Azam (19)
- Shai Hope(16)
- Joe Root (16)
- Tamim Iqbal (14)
- Kane Williamson (13)
- Steve Smith (12)
- Jason Roy(12)
Last But Not Least: Most Hundreds In ODI
The list of players with the most hundreds in ODI reflects changes in batting styles and the game’s dynamics, from Tendulkar’s classical technique to Gayle’s explosive power. New players will emerge, but legends like these will always hold a special place in people’s hearts.
Indeed, with the advent of analytics and sports science, runs in ODIs can only become more competitive. Fans will then see more records broken and new players struggling hard to enter the limelight as new chapters are woven into the ever-unfolding game.
Read More: Most runs in ODI World Cup || Most Runs In T20 World Cup 2024
