Most Centuries in ODI: Cricket is a game of numbers and records. Since its origin, numerous records have been formed, broken and rebuilt. Let’s have a look at one of those records – Top 10 batsmen with the most odi centuries.
Most Centuries in ODI Cricket Matches
| Player | Mat | HS | 100 |
| Sachin Tendulkar (India) | 463 | 200* | 49 |
| Virat Kohli (India) | 239 | 183 | 43 |
| Ricky Ponting (Australia) | 375 | 164 | 30 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) | 445 | 189 | 28 |
| Hashim Amla (South Africa) | 181 | 159 | 27 |
| Rohit Sharma (India) | 218 | 264 | 27 |
| AB de Villiers (South Africa) | 228 | 176 | 25 |
| Chris Gayle (West Indies) | 301 | 215 | 25 |
| Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) | 404 | 169 | 25 |
| Sourav Ganguly (India) | 311 | 183 | 22 |
#1 Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar (India)
At number one we have our very own master blaster, considered by many as the “God of Cricket”. Sachin had a career span of over 23 years in which he amassed many records, including the most centuries in ODI cricket, test cricket and International cricket. He also has the record of scoring most runs in international cricket and was the first man to score a double century in the limited overs format of the game. With 49 centuries in ODI cricket and 51 centuries in test matches he is the only batsman to have scored 100 centuries.
#2 Virat Kohli (India)
Most Centuries in ODI Cricket: The latest sensation in cricket and the heartthrob of all Indian fans, Virat Kohli has made a massive impact in a very short duration. In a less than a decade old career, he has accumulated 40 centuries at an astonishing average of 58 and a strike rate of 92. The current captain of the Indian team is quickly breaking all records and is labelled to overtake Sachin Tendulkar in the most centuries scored column by the end of his career.
#3 Ricky Ponting (Australia)
The two time world cup winning captain, Ricky Ponting, of Australia features at number three in the list of most odi centuries. One of Australia’s most successful batsman and captain had the knack for scoring runs at will and had scored 30 centuries for Australia in ODIs by the time he retired in 2012.
#4 Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
This stylish southpaw was a delight to watch in full flow. The Sri Lankan opener, was the man who changed the mindset of openers all around the world with his aggressive game. The notion of openers seeing off the new ball was completely refurbished as he taught the cricketing world how to exploit the fielding restrictions, accumulating his runs at a strike rate of 91. Sanath Jayasuriya, who started off as a spinner, scored 28 centuries in his illustrious career for Sri Lanka. He relished playing against India scoring 7 out of his 28 centuries against the opponent.
#5 Hashim Amla (South Africa)
Most Centuries in ODI Cricket: Hashim Amla broke into the international circuit in 2004 and played his first One Day International in 2008. He became the fastest batsman to score 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 runs in ODIs. With an average of 50 and a strike rate of almost 90, Amla is one of the best batsmen South Africa has ever received. He has scored 26 centuries in ODIs and is also the fastest to reach the milestone.
#6 AB De Villiers (South Africa)
There is no shot in the book that this bloke couldn’t play. It is not without reason that he is called ‘Mister 360’. With such a wide variety of shots in his armory he was one of the most feared batsmen in the world, and the worst nightmare any bowler could get. In full flow, there was nowhere a bowler could bowl and not get hit for runs. He was a handy wicket keeper and an excellent fielder as well, which earned him the nickname of Superman of cricket. The former captain of South Africa is at number six in the list having scored 25 centuries in 228 matches at a fearsome strike rate of 101 (the only player in the list to have a strike rate of above 100) and an impressive average of 50.
#7 Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
This legendary Sri Lankan wicket keeper-batsman is at number 7 in our list, having amassed 25 centuries in 404 matches. Sanga is the second highest run scorer in ODIs having scored more than 14,000 runs only behind Sachin Tendulkar. The former Sri Lankan skipper played numerous match winning innings and got his team out of a thick situation on multiple occasions. The southpaw constantly lurked around the ICC number 1 batsman spot in test matches and holds the record for most dismissals in ODIs by a wicket keeper.
#8 Chris Gayle (West Indies)
This massive West Indian opener and former captain is known for his big hitting abilities. No one hits sixes as easily as Chris Gayle. The southpaw is a treat to watch when he gets going. The fun loving Jamaican’s most notable ODI innings was against Zimbabwe in the 2015 world cup where he smashed 215 off 147 balls, including 16 sixes, to become the fourth highest scorer in ODI history. Gayle has scored 23 ODI tons.
#9 Saurav Ganguly (India)
Most Centuries in ODI Cricket: Yet another southpaw in the list, Saurav Ganguly was known for his aggression on the field. He is the most successful Test captain India has seen. Being handed the reigns of captaincy when the team was in turmoil, with the ghosts of the match fixing scandal looming large, Ganguly managed to provide reasons for the Indian fans to cheer for the country again. It was under Dada’s leadership that the team India learnt to win abroad. He was known for showing faith and supporting young talent and is the favorite captain of many players who have played under him.
His and Sachin Tendulkar’s opening pair is still considered to be one of the most devastating opening pairs in cricket history. His was sublime through the offside and earned the nickname “God of the off side” and was especially brutal to left-arm off spinners. Ganguly scored 22 centuries in his 15 year long career.
#10 Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka)
The third Sri Lankan in the list, Tillakaratne Dilshan started off as a batsman who used to bat in the lower order. But his real prowess came into the limelight when he was given the opportunities to open the innings for his country. The former Sri Lankan skipper has scored over 10000 runs in ODIs, a feat only achieved by 11 players till date. Dilshan too scored 22 centuries for Sri Lanka. He was more than a handy bowler grabbing 109 wickets in ODIs, and a superb fielder.
