Scoring a century in a World Cup match is a monumental feat. Whether it’s in the One Day International (ODI) or Twenty20 (T20) format, scoring a century in a World Cup is a huge feat. Let’s take a look at the batsmen who have scored the most century in World Cup. Here we take a look at both ODI and T20 World Cups.
List of Players with Most Centuries in ODI World Cup
Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s |
R Sharma | 2015-2023 | 28 | 28 | 1575 | 140 | 60.57 | 1493 | 105.49 | 7 | 6 | 166 | 54 |
D Warner | 2015-2023 | 29 | 29 | 1527 | 178 | 56.55 | 1505 | 101.46 | 6 | 5 | 154 | 41 |
SR Tendulkar | 1992-2011 | 45 | 44 | 2278 | 152 | 56.95 | 2560 | 88.98 | 6 | 15 | 241 | 27 |
KC Sangakkara | 2003-2015 | 37 | 35 | 1532 | 124 | 56.74 | 1770 | 86.55 | 5 | 7 | 147 | 14 |
V Kohli | 2011-2023 | 37 | 37 | 1795 | 117 | 59.83 | 2035 | 88.20 | 5 | 12 | 159 | 14 |
RT Ponting | 1996-2011 | 46 | 42 | 1743 | 140* | 45.86 | 2180 | 79.95 | 5 | 6 | 145 | 31 |
SC Ganguly | 1999-2007 | 21 | 21 | 1006 | 183 | 55.88 | 1298 | 77.50 | 4 | 3 | 79 | 25 |
AB de Villiers | 2007-2015 | 23 | 22 | 1207 | 162* | 63.52 | 1029 | 117.29 | 4 | 6 | 121 | 37 |
ME Waugh | 1992-1999 | 22 | 22 | 1004 | 130 | 52.84 | 1199 | 83.73 | 4 | 4 | 87 | 9 |
TM Dilshan | 2007-2015 | 27 | 25 | 1112 | 161* | 52.95 | 1196 | 92.97 | 4 | 4 | 122 | 9 |
1. Rohit Sharma – 7 centuries in 27 innings
In a scintillating performance during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, Rohit Sharma shattered the record for the most centuries in World Cupa, notching up his 7th century against Afghanistan. His innings culminated with an impressive 131 runs off 84 deliveries, and he went past Sachin Tendulkar in the record for most centuries in the ODI World Cup. Rohit scored his seventh century in just 27 innings.
Read More: List of Double Centuries in ODI Cricket
2. David Warner – 6 centuries in 27 innings
Second on the list of the most centuries in ODI World Cups is Australia’s destructive opening batsman David Warner. Warner has played every World Cup starting from the 2015 edition, and has scored six centuries in 27 innings. Two of these centuries came in the 2023 World Cup in India. His top score is 178 runs which came in the 2015 World Cup clash against Afghanistan.
3. Sachin Tendulkar – 6 Centuries in 45 innings
There is nearly no ODI cricket batting record of which Sachin Tendulkar is not a part. Tendulkar, who played six World Cups in his career, scored six centuries. Overall, he got to six centuries in 45 innings. Sachin is also the top run-scorer in World Cup history, having amassed 2278 runs in 45 matches.
2011, when India broke their 28-year losing streak, was Sachin’s last World Cup. He also holds the record for the most fifties in World Cup history, with a total of 15 of them.
4. Kumar Sangakkara – 5 Centuries in 37 innings
Kumar Sangakkara is the highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka in ODI cricket history. Not just that, he has also scored the most centuries by a Sri Lankan player at the World Cup. In 37 ODI World Cup matches, Sangakkara scored five centuries, which were a part of the 1532 runs he scored in World Cups at an average of 56.74.
5. Virat Kohli – 5 Centuries in 36 Innings
Virat Kohli has scored five centuries in World Cups across 36 innings. He played his first ever ODI World Cup in 2011 and has been a part of every squad that played the following World Cups. In 2011, on his World Cup debut, Kohli scored a century. His next century came in 2015 against Pakistan. But it was in the 2023 World Cup that Kohli was at his absolute best, scoring three centuries. He is overall the third-highest run scorer in World Cups, with 1741 runs.
Read More: List of Centuries by Virat Kohli
Most Centuries in T20 World Cup
Pos | Player | Team | Matches | Runs | 100 | Avg | SR |
1 | Chris Gayle | WI | 33 | 965 | 2 | 34.46 | 142.75 |
2 | Mahela Jayawardene | SL | 31 | 1016 | 1 | 39.07 | 134.74 |
3 | Brendon McCullum | NZ | 25 | 637 | 1 | 28.95 | 128.42 |
4 | Jos Buttler | ENG | 21 | 574 | 1 | 41 | 144.58 |
5 | Tamim Iqbal | BAN | 23 | 514 | 1 | 24.47 | 113.46 |
6 | Suresh Raina | IND | 26 | 453 | 1 | 25.16 | 130.17 |
7 | Alex Hales | PAK | 14 | 356 | 1 | 27.38 | 134.84 |
8 | Ahmed Shehzad | PAK | 9 | 250 | 1 | 31.25 | 126.9 |
9 | Rilee Rossouw | SA | 4 | 109 | 1 | 36.33 | 181.66 |
10 | Glenn Phillips | NZ | 9 | 221 | 1 | 36.83 | 131.54 |
1. Chris Gayle
Leading the list is Chris Gayle, whose sheer power and batting have left spectators awestruck. Gayle, in his illustrious T20 World Cup career spanning 33 matches, amassed a staggering total of 965 runs, including two centuries. He batted at the T20 World Cups at an impressive average of 34.46 and strike rate of 142.75.
2. Mahela Jayawardene
Following closely is the elegant Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene. Jayawardene, in 31 T20 World Cup matches, amassed 1016 runs, including a solitary century. His consistency is reflected in his batting average of 39.07 and a commendable strike rate of 134.74.
3. Brendon McCullum
New Zealand’s explosive opener Brendon McCullum, known for his fearless approach to batting, occupies the third spot on this prestigious list. McCullum’s attacking style of play has made him a fan favourite, as evidenced by his 637 runs in 25 T20 World Cup matches, including a memorable century.
Further Read: Fastest Centuries in T20 Cricket
4. Jos Buttler
England’s dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler follows closely behind. Buttler has notched up 574 runs in 21 T20 World Cup matches, including a century. With an impressive average of 41 and a striking strike rate of 144.58, he is a force to be reckoned with in the shortest format of the game.
5. Tamim Iqbal
Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal, India’s Suresh Raina, and Pakistan’s Alex Hales and Ahmed Shehzad also make their mark on the list, each with a century to their name in the T20 World Cup. South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw and New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips complete the list.
FAQs about Most Centuries in World Cup
Q) Who has scored the most centuries in World Cup?
A) Rohit Sharma has scored the most centuries in the ODI World Cup. He has scored a total seven of them.
Q) Who has scored most centuries in World Cup all formats?
A) In ODI World Cup, Rohit Sharma has scored the most centuries (seven). In T20 World Cups, Gayle leads the list with two centuries.
Q) Who is the highest run-scorer in ODI cricket history?
A) The leading ODI run-scorer of all time is Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 18,426 runs in his career spanning from 1989 to 2012. Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara is the second highest run-scorer in the format, with 14,234 runs to his name in his career.
Download the WinZO App, play fantasy cricket with real players top in leader board and win prizes Download Now