Hundreds in One Day International (ODI) cricket is one of the biggest achievements for any batter. Consistency, patience, shot selection and ability to perform under the pressure is needed. Many great names in the world of cricket have entered the One Day International (ODI) arena over the years and some of them became synonymous with 50-over matches. Where only a few players can turn a start into an influential hundred that changes or wins the game for their side, others just fall into dismay after scoring crucial runs.
Today, Virat Kohli holds the record for most hundreds in ODI cricket after going on to break Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing mark during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup and extend it further.
We will take a comprehensive look at the players who have scored the most ODI centuries, their records and milestones achieved as well as what makes these batting greats one of the greatest cricketing icons in history.
What is an ODI Century?
A batter celebrates an ODI hundred when one Day International match and a single innings, here the batter scores 100 runs or more. With only 50 overs for every team, scoring a hundred allowed mid-innings balance between stroke and caution-efficient.
There were many ODI centuries that turned the tide of matches and helped teams to earn memorable wins.
Players with the Most Hundreds in ODI Cricket
| Rank | Player | Country | ODI Hundreds |
| 1 | Virat Kohli | India | 54 |
| 2 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 49 |
| 3 | Rohit Sharma | India | 33 |
| 4 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 30 |
| 5 | Hashim Amla | South Africa | 27 |
| 6 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 25 |
| 7 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 25 |
| 8 | AB de Villiers | South Africa | 25 |
| 9 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 28 |
| 10 | Sourav Ganguly | India | 22 |
Virat Kohli – 54 ODI Hundreds
And Virat Kohli is considered to be the greatest modern-day ODI batter. He scored 50 ODI centuries for the first time in history at the 2023 World Cup, a record that has now been stretched to 54 hundreds.
Key Highlights
- ODI Hundreds: 54
- Runs: Nearly 15,000
- Average: Above 58
20, 30, 40 and now 50 (Player) – Fellow cricketers often like to call him the “blue man”.
Nicknamed the “Chase Master”
Maintaining his unbeaten run as a chaser, Kohli has established himself among the greatest ones to chase down totals in cricketing history. What sets him apart from most great batters is his ability to anchor yours for some overs and accelerate in the death overs.
Sachin Tendulkar: 49 ODI career hundreds
Sachin Tendulkar had the record of most centuries in ODIs for almost two decades. As the Master Blaster, he changed the way ODI batting was played and influenced a generation of cricketers.
Career Highlights
- ODI Hundreds: 49
- ODI Runs: 18,426
- Matches: 463
Most dual centuries scored in ODI cricket
Even today, Sachin holds the record for most runs scored in ODIs and also is one of the greatest legends to have played the game of cricket. Record achievements which are timeless by way of his consistency in longevity up to the present.
Rohit Sharma – 33 ODI International Hundreds
Rohit Sharma: One of the most ferocious openers in ODI cricket Such is his six-hitting ability and composure at the crease that he has more than one match-winning century to his name.
Major Records
- ODI Hundreds: 33
- Highest Individual ODI Score: 264
- Three ODI Double Centuries
- Five hundreds in a World Cup (2019)
Rohit is the only batsman in history to have scored more than three ODI double tons.
Most Centuries in ODI (One Day International) by Ricky Ponting – 30
Ricky Ponting, former Australian captain, ruled the world of cricket when Australia governed their golden century.
Achievements
- ODI Hundreds: 30
- Multiple World Cup titles
- One of Australia’s greatest captains
- Aggressive middle-order batter
It was Ponting who was well known as an attacking player and played many pressure innings that nobody will ever forget. b
5. Hashim Amla – 27 ODI Hundreds
Hashim Amla was among the fastest batters to several ODI milestones.
Highlights
- Elegant batting technique
- Excellent average
- One of South Africa’s greatest ODI players
- Consistent performer across conditions
Amla’s calm temperament made him one of the most reliable top-order batters.
Other Players with 25+ ODI Hundreds
Several legendary players have crossed the 25-century mark.
| Player | Hundreds |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 28 |
| Hashim Amla | 27 |
| Chris Gayle | 25 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | 25 |
| AB de Villiers | 25 |
Most ODI Hundreds by Country
| Country | Leading Batter | ODI Hundreds |
| India | Virat Kohli | 54 |
| Australia | Ricky Ponting | 30 |
| South Africa | Hashim Amla | 27 |
| Sri Lanka | Sanath Jayasuriya | 28 |
| West Indies | Chris Gayle | 25 |
| Pakistan | Saeed Anwar | 20 |
| New Zealand | Ross Taylor | 20 |
India has produced several of the greatest ODI century-makers, including Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, and Sourav Ganguly.
Why ODI Hundreds Matter
The ability to play in balls and score centuries regularly is an indication of your quality as a batter and how well you adapt yourself to the nature of match situations.
Now the benefits of an ODI century:
- Winning matches for the team
- Building large partnerships
- Boosting batting averages
- Creating memorable cricket records
- Excelling under pressure
Most of the best one day results have been revolving around a century from some player.
Interesting Facts About ODI Hundreds
- The record for most ODI hundreds is not going to Virat Kohli with 54.
- Sachin Tendulkar was the first player to score 49 ODI hundreds.
- The Indian captain Rohit Sharma is the only batter to have scored three ODI double centuries.
- Ever since, Sachin Tendulkar still holds the record for most no of runs in ODIs.
- Virat Kohli is called “Chase Master”, He has really a hundred while chasing.
Can Anyone Break Virat Kohli’s Record?
It is almost impossible now to break the record of Virat Kohli. The rotation in modern cricket due to packed schedules and multiple formats makes long-term consistency a challenge.
It takes immense fitness, readiness, and years of play to get at least 50 ODI centuries despite young stars like Shubman Gill and other budding batters laying strong foundations.
Read More: Most Runs in T20 International || Fastest Century in IPL 2026 || Fastest 50 in IPL
Conclusion
The tally of highest ODI hundreds is a record which also attests not just to batting skill but exceptional consistency over long careers. Virat Kohli now holds the highest number of ODI centuries (54) in the all-time charts, followed by Sachin Tendulkar (49), and Rohit Sharma (33).
These greats have played unforgettable innings which have inspired millions of fans around the globe. With the game changing rapidly, new records will be attempted in future generations but Kohli 2018 is at this point an ODI record for the ages.
FAQs – Most Hundreds in ODI
1. Who has the most hundreds in ODI cricket?
Virat Kohli holds the record for the Most Hundreds in ODI cricket, with 54 centuries, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record of 49.
2. Who is second on the list of Most Hundreds in ODI?
Sachin Tendulkar ranks second for the Most Hundreds in ODI with 49 centuries, a record he held for nearly two decades.
3. Which active player has the Most Hundreds in ODI after Virat Kohli?
Rohit Sharma is the next active player on the list, with 33 ODI centuries, making him one of the greatest ODI openers in cricket history.
4. Which country has the most players with the Most Hundreds in ODI list?
India has the strongest representation in the Most Hundreds in ODI rankings, with legends like Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, and Sourav Ganguly.
5. Why is the Most Hundreds in ODI record considered special?
The Most Hundreds in ODI record highlights a batter’s consistency, longevity, and ability to score match-winning centuries across different conditions and opponents.
6. Can any current player break the Most Hundreds in ODI record?
While several modern batters are performing exceptionally well, breaking Virat Kohli’s Most Hundreds in ODI record will require many years of consistent performances and outstanding fitness.
7. Who are the top three players with the Most Hundreds in ODI?
The top three players with the Most Hundreds in ODI are Virat Kohli (54), Sachin Tendulkar (49), and Rohit Sharma (33).
