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.
List of 10 Players with Most Centuries in ODIs
| Player | Innings | Runs | Centuries |
| Virat Kohli | 280 | 13848 | 50 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 452 | 18426 | 49 |
| Rohit Sharma | 254 | 10709 | 31 |
| Ricky Ponting | 365 | 13704 | 30 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 433 | 13430 | 28 |
| Hashim Amla | 178 | 8113 | 27 |
| Ab de Villiers | 218 | 9577 | 25 |
| Chris Gayle | 294 | 10480 | 25 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | 380 | 14234 | 25 |
| David Warner | 159 | 6932 | 22 |
1. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, the former India captain, holds the record for the most centuries in ODI cricket history. 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.
Read More: Most Centuries by Players in ICC Cricket World Cup
2. Sachin Tendulkar
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.
3. Rohit Sharma
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.
Rohit’s masterclass at the Eden Gardens included 33 fours and 9 sixes and helped India post a formidable total of 404/5 and secure a massive victory. He is also the fastest Indian opener (83 innings) and the second-fastest opener in the world after Hashim Amla to score 4,000 ODI runs. As of June 2024, he is the sixth highest run-getter for India in ODIs, with 10709 runs at an average of 49.12. This includes 31 centuries and 55 fifties.
4. Ricky Ponting
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). Ponting scored 13,704 runs in 375 ODIs, making him the highest run-scorer for Australia in ODIs at the time of his retirement. As a captain, Ponting led Australia in 230 ODIs, winning 165 of them, making him one of the most successful ODI captains of all time.
Suggested Read: Rohit Sharma Total Centuries in All Format
5. Sanath Jayasuriya
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.
Renowned for his explosive starts, Jayasuriya’s rapid scoring set the tone for modern ODI cricket. His notable achievements include a 48-ball century against Pakistan in 1996 and a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup victory. A versatile player, he also took 323 wickets with his left-arm spin, making him a valuable all-rounder.
6. Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla, one of South Africa’s most consistent and elegant batsmen, enjoyed a prolific career in ODIs from 2008 to 2019. Amla’s ability to anchor the innings made him an invaluable asset to his team.
Over the span of his career, Amla played 181 matches, scoring 8113 runs at an average of 49.46. His technique, patience, and excellent shot selection helped him notch up 27 centuries and 39 half-centuries. Amla’s highest score in ODIs was an impressive 159.
7. AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers, often hailed as one of the most dynamic and innovative batsmen in modern cricket, represented South Africa in a career spanning from 2005 to 2018. De Villiers played 228 ODIs, accumulating 9577 runs at an outstanding average of 53.50.
Renowned for his 360-degree stroke play, de Villiers was a crowd favourite for his ability to turn games on their head with his aggressive batting. He recorded 25 centuries and 53 half-centuries, with a top score of 176. His leadership qualities and electrifying fielding further contributed to his reputation as one of the greatest in the game.
8. Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle had a long and illustrious ODI career from 1999 to 2019. Known for his towering sixes and explosive batting, Gayle played 301 ODIs, scoring 10480 runs at an average of 37.83. His highest score, an unbeaten 215, stands as one of the highest individual scores in ODI history.
Gayle’s 25 centuries and 54 half-centuries reflect his ability to dominate bowling attacks across different conditions. Gayle’s contributions at the top of the order were pivotal in many of West Indies’ victories, and his larger-than-life personality and entertaining style made him a global cricketing icon.
Further Read: List of Centuries by Virat Kohli in All Format
9. Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara, one of Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketers, had a distinguished ODI career from 2000 to 2015. Sangakkara played 404 ODIs, amassing 14234 runs at an average of 41.98.
Known for his classical technique and consistency, Sangakkara was a linchpin in the Sri Lankan batting lineup. He scored 25 centuries and a remarkable 93 half-centuries, with a top score of 169. His role as a wicketkeeper-batsman added further value to his team.
10. David Warner
David Warner, the explosive Australian opener, has been a key figure in the Australian ODI setup since his debut in 2009. Over the course of his career, Warner has played 161 ODIs, scoring 6932 runs at an average of 45.30.
Known for his aggressive batting style, Warner has the ability to dismantle any bowling attack with his powerful stroke play. He has scored 22 centuries and 33 half-centuries, with a highest score of 179.
FAQ’s about Most Centuries in ODIs
Q) Who scored the most centuries in ODI cricket?
A) Virat Kohli holds the record for the most centuries in ODI cricket, with 50 centuries in 280 innings. Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record during the 2023 World Cup, scoring his 50th century in a semi-final match against New Zealand.
Q) How many centuries did Sachin Tendulkar score in ODIs?
A) Sachin Tendulkar scored a total of 49 centuries in ODIs. Over his illustrious career, Tendulkar played 452 innings in 463 ODI matches, amassing 18,426 runs. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. His record for the most centuries in ODIs stood for many years until Virat Kohli surpassed it in 2023.
Q) How many centuries did Sourav Ganguly score in ODIs?
A) Sourav Ganguly scored a total of 22 centuries in ODIs) Throughout his career, Ganguly played 300 ODIs, scoring 11,363 runs at an average of 41.02.
Q) When was the most centuries in one ODI match scored?
A) In a historic ODI match between Pakistan and Australia in 1998, four batsmen collectively achieved centuries for the first time in a single game. Pakistan’s Ijaz Ahmed and Mohammad Yousuf each scored a century, propelling their team to a total of 315 runs.
In response, Australia’s Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting delivered powerful performances, both scoring centuries, leading Australia to a six-wicket victory while chasing the target of 316 runs.
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