Cricket enthusiasts from all over the world throng to witness the unforgettable batting displays, and in the realm of One Day International cricket, the achievement of scoring a century is one of the most revered ones.
1. Virat Kohli, The ODI Centurion King
At the top of the summit is Virat Kohli, a modern-day batting titan who we see redefining what it means to be consistent and to master the chase. In ODIs, he has 54 centuries, which is the world record for most hundreds, a mark he set in cricket history. What he does under pressure to chase down targets and his ability to anchor an innings are what made him a legend, which fans and critics alike respect. From the aggressive early over performances to the measured later wicket play, Kohli’s dominance in the ODI field is unmissable.
2. Sachin Tendulkar, The Man of the Game
Before Kohli came into the picture, Sachin Tendulkar was cricket’s batting benchmark. Tendulkar had 49 ODI centuries, which for a long time saw him at the top of the century charts. He played beautiful, technical innings of class. Also, it was his durability and ability to adapt that saw him score runs against all types of bowlers from around the world.
3. Rohit Sharma The Hitman’s Hundred Display
India’s explosive opener Rohit Sharma is at number three with 33 ODI centuries. Also known as the “Hitman”, he puts together aggression with timing, which at times sees him turn games around with huge scores, which at one point included multiple double centuries in the ODI format.
4. Ricky Ponting – Australia’s Chief Run Scorer
Ricky Ponting was a fine ODI captain and also an excellent batsman for Australia, who saw him score 30 centuries over the course of his career, which was characterised by power and precision. As a leader and a player, his dominance in the 1990s and 2000’s was key.
Ponting’s record in big matches, of which he won many with his dominant hundreds, is a large part of what will be remembered by.
5. Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka’s Brave Open batsman
Sri Lanka’s attacking opener Sanath Jayasuriya has a total of 28 ODI centuries. What made him stand out was that he revolutionised the opening role, bringing in that fearless style of play to the first overs, which in turn thrilled fans with what seemed like out-of-the-park starts, which today we see as the norm.
His legacy went beyond what he achieved with the bat; Jayasuriya changed how teams played in the first phase of ODIs.
6. Hashim Amla, The Quiet Run King
South African star Hashim Amla scored 27 ODI hundreds, out of which he played with a very patient and precise style. His excellent technique and cool temperament did him justice in all kinds of weather.
In what Amla put in his centuries, there were elements of old-school batting which came through in terms of timing and balance.
7. AB de Villiers – The Man in the 360-degree hat
Mr. 360″ AB de Villiers, who saw him score 25 ODI centuries, thrilled fans with his innovative stroke play and fearless hitting. His ability to adapt across formats and unmatchable creativity made him a delight to watch for the generation he played in. De Villiers’ 10s were also 150% enjoyable as they were productive, a great mix of panache and power.
8. Chris Gayle, the man with the power of the Caribbean
West Indies’ great Chris Gayle also registered 25 ODI centuries, which he played with power and panache. What made Gayle a terror for bowlers was his ability to hit the boundaries at will.
His large hundreds would also be match-defining in high-scoring contests.
9. Kumar Sangakkara – Sri Lankan legend
Sri Lanka’s great Kumar Sangakkara hit 25 ODI centuries, which put him in the elite company of the best. Also known for his grace in the crease and tactical acumen, he is a class act. He proved consistent against all types of bowlers, which secured his place in the ODI batting elite.
10. Quinton de Kock — the star of South Africa
Quinton de Kock joined an exclusive group with over 22 centuries, which he did so with fiery starts and in-depth batting skills. In what is seen as the modern generation’s best batsmen, he is also the standout for de K’s ODI records that play to his adaptiveness and aggression.
11. Joe Root is the rock of England’s team in terms of runs
At number 3 in the list is Joe Root, who for Great Britain does very well in ODI’s which he does, with a century or two. Also known for his skill and consistency, Root’s performances are a base on which the English team’s bat on no matter what the location.
Conclusion: A Legacy of a hundred years’ worth of work
From the greats that will make the all-time top 11 in 2026, which will include Virat Kohli’s record-breaking performances, Tendulkar’s timeless class and Rohit Sharma’s powerful stroke play, we see the who’s who of ODI batting. These century men didn’t just put up big scores, they were game changers, fan favorites and set standards that the next generation will strive to achieve.
