Introduction
Cricket has a lot of amazing history, It has seen countless thrilling moments, but few are as celebrated as a batsman reaching a century. Having the Most centuries in ODI will be remembered forever by fans worldwide. Many famous cricket players have scored centuries that fans will never forget. This article discusses the players who have scored the most centuries in One Day Cricket. It’s a way to celebrate how great they are.
1. Sachin Tendulkar: The Master Blaster
No discussion about cricketing records is complete without mentioning Sachin Tendulkar, the “Little Master” from India. Tendulkar’s career spanned over two decades, during which he set numerous records, many of which still stand today.
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Centuries: 49
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Matches: 463
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Runs: 18,426
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Batting Average: 44.83
Sachin’s ability to play under pressure, his technique and wide range of shots, made him a formidable opponent. His century against Australia in Sharjah in 1998, known as the “Desert Storm” innings, is still considered one of the finest in cricket history.
2. Virat Kohli: The Modern-Day Maestro
Virat Kohli is often called the next Sachin Tendulkar. He’s changed how people think about batting in cricket today. Kohli always wants to score runs and never gives up. He’s scored a lot of hundreds, even faster than many of the players who came before him.
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Centuries: 46 (as of 2024)
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Matches: 275+
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Runs: Over 13,000
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Batting Average: 57+
Kohli plays cricket very aggressively and is always consistent. This makes him important for India, especially when they need to score a lot of runs to win. One time, in 2012, India needed to score 321 runs to beat Sri Lanka. Virat Kohli scored 133 runs without getting out and helped India win the game in just 36.4 overs! It was amazing how well he played.
3. Ricky Ponting: Australia’s Batting Powerhouse
Ricky Ponting was a great captain and batter for Australia. He was known for playing aggressively and making it hard for the other team. He was a big part of why Australia was so good in the early 2000s.
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Centuries: 30
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Matches: 375
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Runs: 13,704
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Batting Average: 42.03
Ponting’s ability to play both spin and pace with equal finesse made him a vital cog in Australia’s batting lineup. His 140 not out against India in the 2003 World Cup final is a testament to his big-match temperament.
4. Rohit Sharma: The Hitman
Rohit Sharma, also known as the “Hitman,” has become one of the most prolific run-scorers in ODIs. With his elegant stroke play and ability to hit sixes effortlessly, Rohit has made a significant impact on the cricketing world.
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Centuries: 30+ (as of 2024)
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Matches: 250+
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Runs: Over 10,000
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Batting Average: 48+
Rohit is the only player to have scored three double centuries in ODI cricket, a record that showcases his ability to play long innings. His 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014 remains the highest individual score in ODIs.
5. Sanath Jayasuriya: The Sri Lankan Dynamite
Sanath Jayasuriya was a revolutionary figure in ODI cricket, changing the way openers approached the game. Known for his explosive batting, Jayasuriya was a nightmare for bowlers, especially in the first 15 overs.
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Centuries: 28
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Matches: 445
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Runs: 13,430
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Batting Average: 32.36
Jayasuriya’s 189 against India in Sharjah in 2000 is still one of the most aggressive innings played in ODI history. His ability to turn games around with his batting and useful left-arm spin made him a valuable all-rounder for Sri Lanka.
6. Hashim Amla: The Silent Performer
Hashim Amla was a South African batter who was good at staying calm and classically playing cricket. He was one of the best at keeping the team’s scoring going while also hitting the ball fast enough to keep the other team on their toes.
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Centuries: 27
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Matches: 181
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Runs: 8,000+
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Batting Average: 49+
Amla was the fastest to reach 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, and 7,000 runs in ODIs, highlighting his consistent run-scoring ability. His 159 against Ireland in the 2015 World Cup is one of his most memorable innings.
7. AB de Villiers: Mr. 360
AB de Villiers, known as “Mr. 360” for his ability to play shots all around the ground, redefined the role of a middle-order batsman in ODIs. His innovative stroke play and ability to accelerate the scoring rate made him one of the most feared batsmen.
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Centuries: 25
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Matches: 228
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Runs: 9,577
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Batting Average: 53.50
De Villiers holds the record for the fastest century in ODIs, reaching the milestone in just 31 balls against the West Indies in 2015. His 162* off 66 balls in the same series is another example of his explosive batting.
8. Saeed Anwar: Pakistan’s Stylish Left-Hander
Saeed Anwar was one of Pakistan’s most stylish and prolific openers. His elegant batting and ability to find gaps with ease made him a favorite among fans.
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Centuries: 20
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Matches: 247
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Runs: 8,824
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Batting Average: 39.21
Anwar’s 194 against India in Chennai in 1997 was the highest individual score in ODIs at the time and remained so for over a decade. His ability to dominate both spin and pace made him a versatile batsman.
9. Sourav Ganguly: The Prince of Kolkata
Sourav Ganguly, fondly known as “Dada,” was one of India’s most successful captains and a prolific left-handed batsman. His aggressive captaincy and fearless batting style inspired a generation of cricketers.
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Centuries: 22
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Matches: 311
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Runs: 11,363
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Batting Average: 41.02
Ganguly’s 183 against Sri Lanka in the 1999 World Cup is one of the highest scores in a World Cup match. His ability to hit over the top in the powerplay and rotate the strike made him a key player for India.
10. Ross Taylor: New Zealand’s Dependable Middle-Order Batsman
Ross Taylor, one of New Zealand’s most experienced and reliable batsmen, has been a cornerstone of their middle order for over a decade. His ability to play both spin and pace effectively made him a vital player in New Zealand’s batting lineup.
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Centuries: 21
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Matches: 236
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Runs: 8,500+
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Batting Average: 48+
One of Taylor’s best innings was when he scored 181 runs against England in 2018. He showed that he could keep the team’s scoring going and also hit the ball really fast when he needed to.
Analysis: The Changing Dynamics of ODI Batting
The list of players with the most centuries in ODIs highlights the evolution of batting styles and strategies over the years. Cricket has changed a lot over the years. Sachin Tendulkar was a great player who was known for his classic style. But now, players like AB de Villiers are playing in a new, more exciting way. They take more risks and play more aggressively.
The introduction of powerplays, flat pitches, and the evolution of T20 cricket have influenced ODI batting. Modern-day batsmen are more aggressive and often play with a higher strike rate, aiming to score big runs quickly.
Future Prospects: Emerging Century Scorers
Some really good cricket players are still playing, like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. And some young players are doing really well, like Babar Azam and Shubman Gill. It looks like cricket will be exciting in the future. These players could break old records and set new ones for other players to try to beat.
Conclusion
Scoring Most Centuries in ODI match is a big deal! It takes a lot of skill, patience, and staying calm under pressure and sometimes players use aggression to achieve high scores. The players mentioned above have done amazing things on the cricket field. They’ve entertained fans and set a high bar for other players to try to reach. As cricket keeps changing, it’ll be exciting to see who can break their records and make their own place in cricket history.
