100- These three digits (of course in the same order!) hold a very special value in the life of a cricketer. Despite being known as a ‘Batsman’s Game’, it is not easy to score runs in cricket consistently, let alone centuries. However, there are a handful of players have managed to do so. It is the ultimate test for any budding youngster looking to make a mark on the game. And that is what we will look at today, i,e, players with the most centuries in ODI and the numbers behind them.

Top 10 Batsmen with Most Centuries in ODI Cricket

David Warner (Australia)

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David Warner is one of the most explosive and successful opening batsmen in the history of One Day International (ODI) cricket. Hailing from Australia, Warner has earned a reputation as a hard-hitting, dynamic, and consistent performer at the top of the order. Warner has scored 22 centuries in 157 ODI matches so far.

• Centuries: 22
• Average: 45.8
• Strike Rate: 97.3
• High Score: 179
• Total ODI runs: 6825

Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)

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The ICC Cricketer of 2012, Kumar Sangakkara is among the best wicketkeeper and batsmen to have played for the Sri Lankan cricket team. The left-handed opener has hit 25 centuries in 404 matches. He is rated as the greatest ODI batsmen to have ever played the game by Cricket Australia in 2016. Sangakkara is also the first and only batsman to hit four consecutive hundreds.

• Centuries: 25
• Average: 41.98
• Strike Rate: 78.86
• High Score: 169 vs SA (2013)
• Total ODI runs: 14,234

Chris Gayle (West Indies)

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Chris Gayle, or famously known as the 'Universal Boss' and 'Gayle Storm' comes at number 8 among the batsmen with most centuries in ODIs. In his long career, Chris Gayle has hit 25 centuries in 301 matches. Further, he is second on the list of most sixes in ODI with 331, just 20 behind Shahid Afridi. Chris Gayle is also the first player ever to have scored centuries in all three formats of cricket.

• Centuries: 25
• Average: 37.83
• Strike Rate: 87.19
• High Score: 215 vs Zimbabwe (2015)
• Total ODI runs: 10,480

AB de Villiers (South Africa)

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Mr 360 of Cricket, AB De Villers is the next cricketer on our list of most centuries in ODIs. The former South African skipper has scored 25 centuries in 228 matches. ABD, along with Virat Kohli are the only players to win the ICC ODI player of the year three times. He won it in 2010, 2014 and 2015.

ABD is the only player in our list have a strike rate of over 100. The right-handed batsman also holds the unique record of scoring the fastest 50 (16 balls), fastest 100 (31 balls), and fastest 150 (64 balls) in ODI cricket.

• Centuries: 25
• Average: 53.50
• Strike Rate: 101.09
• High Score: 176
• Total ODI runs: 9,577

Hashim Amla (South Africa)

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The third and final South African among the batsmen with the most centuries in ODIs! Hashim Amla is widely counted as one of the greatest opening batsmen of all time. His records say so! Amla is the fastest player to reach 3000, fastest 4000, fastest 6000, and fastest 7000 runs in ODI cricket. Amla is also the 6th player to score most century in ODI.

• Centuries: 27
• Average: 49.46
• Strike Rate: 88.39
• High Score: 159 vs Ireland (2015)
• Total ODI runs: 8,113

Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)

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Sanath Jayasuriya is a former Sri Lankan cricketer who is widely regarded as one of the most dynamic and influential all-rounders in the history of the game. He is best known for his explosive batting and his ability to contribute as a left-arm spin bowler. Jayasuriya had a career that spanned over two decades and left an indelible mark on the sport of cricket. Jayasuriya was a trailblazer in the ODI format, pioneering the concept of power-hitting at the top of the order. He scored 28 ODI centuries in total of 445 matches with an average of 42.03.

• Centuries: 28
• Average: 32.4
• Strike Rate: 91.2
• High Score: 189
• Total ODI runs: 13430

Most Centuries in ODI: Ricky Ponting (Australia)

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The captain of the Australian team during its Golden Era, Ricky Pointing is considered as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Among a long list of ODI records, Pointing is the holder of the only player with over 250 wins, the most capped Captain in ODI, and the highest ODI runscorer as a captain. For Australia, Pointing has scored 30 centuries in 375 matches.

• Centuries: 30
• Average: 42.03
• Strike Rate: 80.39
• High Score: 164
• Total ODI runs: 13,704

Most centuries in ODI: Rohit Sharma (India)

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Rohit Sharma, often referred to as “Hitman” or “Ro-Hitman,” is one of the most accomplished and celebrated cricketers in the world, particularly in the One Day International (ODI) format. Rohit Sharma has left an indelible mark on the world of cricket with his exceptional batting skills, leadership qualities, and remarkable records in ODIs.

• Centuries: 31
• Average: 49.13
• Strike Rate: 91.81
• High Score: 264
• Total ODI runs: 11049

Most centuries in ODI: Sachin Tendulkar (India)

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The Little Master, The Master Blaster, and on. There aren't enough words to describe Sachin's cricketing talent and his contribution to the Gentleman's game. In 463 matches, Sachin has hit 49 ODI centuries. Further, he is the highest run scorer in ODI cricket with 18,426 runs with an average of 44.83 runs per match and a strike rate of 86.23.

• Centuries: 49
• Average: 44.83
• Strike Rate: 86.23
• High Score: 200* vs South Africa (2010)
• Total ODI runs: 18,426

Most centuries in ODI: Virat Kohli (India)

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A man on route greatness, Virat Kohli is number one on the list of batsmen with the most centuries in ODI cricket. The former Indian captain has 51 centuries. Kohli’s cricketing prowess is primarily attributed to his remarkable consistency and the ability to adapt his game to different formats. At the pace he is going, Kohli won't be behind Sachin Tendulkar for much longer.

• Centuries: 51
• Average: 58.69
• Strike Rate: 93.62
• High Score: 183
• Total ODI runs: 14085

FAQs

1. Who holds the record for the most centuries in ODI cricket?

Virat Kohli holds the record for the most centuries in ODI cricket with 51 centuries.

2. Which player is second on the list for the most centuries in ODI?

Sachin Tendulkar is second on the list for the most centuries in ODI with 49 centuries.

3. Who is the only player to have scored centuries in all three formats of cricket?

Chris Gayle is the only player to have scored centuries in all three formats of cricket.

4. Who has scored the most centuries in ODI cricket among Australian players?

Ricky Ponting has scored the most centuries in ODI cricket among Australian players with 30 centuries.

5. Which player has the highest average among those with the most centuries in ODI?

Virat Kohli has the highest average among those with the most centuries in ODI with an average of 58.69.

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