Who Scored Most Centuries in ODI Matches? Check out the Complete List

One Day International (ODI) cricket came into existence in 1971. The first-ever ODI match was played between Australia and England on July 5, 1971, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia won by five wickets, marking the start of a new format in cricket. Several batsmen have scored centuries in the ODI format over the years.

Virat Kohli holds the record for the most centuries in ODI cricket. Since making his debut in 2008, Kohli has scored 50 centuries in 280 innings. Kohli is also the only active cricketer among the top 10 highest run-scorers in the format.

The batsman was at his best in 2023, especially in the ODI format. In 27 matches, he scored 1377 runs at an average of 72.47. This includes six hundreds and eight fifties. He achieved a special feat during the 2023 World Cup. In a league match against South Africa, Kohli notched up his 49th century, drawing level with Tendulkar’s long standing record for most centuries in ODIs. A mere 10 days later, in the first semi-final against New Zealand, he etched his name in history by securing his 50th ODI century. Kohli now has the greatest number of centuries in the 50-over game. In the 2023 World Cup, Kohli scored 765 runs in 11 innings at a staggering average of 95.62, thus surpassing Tendulkar’s 2003 record for the highest runs in a single ODI World Cup edition.

Following closely behind Kohli is Sachin Tendulkar with 49 centuries in 452 innings. Over his illustrious career, Tendulkar received 62 Man of the Match awards and 15 Man of the Series awards in ODIs. No other batsman has earned more awards in the format than him.

He also holds the record for the longest ODI career, spanning an incredible 22 years and 91 days, and the record for the most 90s in an ODI career (18). Tendulkar is also the highest run-scorer in ODI World Cups – 2,278 runs at an average of 56.95 in 45 matches. In 2010, the Little Master also etched his name in history by being the first batsman to achieve an ODI double hundred, an unbeaten 200 against South Africa.

Rohit Sharma has scored the third-most centuries in ODIs – 31 centuries in 254 innings. He’s the only player to score three double centuries, achieving this feat against Australia and Sri Lanka. Rohit also holds the record for the highest individual score in ODI cricket, smashing 264 runs against Sri Lanka.

Following Rohit on the list is Ricky Ponting with 30 centuries in 365 innings. Ponting often delivered outstanding performances in crucial games, particularly in the World Cup. He stands as the third-highest run-scorer in World Cups, following Tendulkar and Kohli. Ponting accumulated over 1700 runs in World Cup matches at an impressive average of nearly 46. At the time of his retirement, he held the record for the most sixes in World Cup (31).

Fifth name on the list of most centuries in ODI cricket is of Sanath Jayasuriya, who scored 28 tons in 433 innings. He is Sri Lanka’s second-highest run-scorer in the format, with 13364 runs at an average of 32.51.

List of Players with Most Centuries in ODIs