Who has the most centuries in international cricket across formats?
Sachin Tendulkar (100), Virat Kohli (75), and Ricky Ponting (71) have the most centuries in international cricket across formats.
In cricket, the scoring a century is the landmark achievement that separates the good from the greats. In this brief overview, we’ll look into the top 10 cricketers with the most centuries across formats.
But here’s the real kicker: Can Virat Kohli break Sachin Tendulkar’s hundreds record? Let’s dive in and explore.
Also Read: Can Joe Root Break Tendulkar’s Run Record?, Sachin Tendulkar Hundred 100s: A Complete Guide, Virat Kohli Best Innings Across Formats, Most Runs in Test Cricket, Most Centuries in Test Cricket
Key Takeaways
- India – 3 (Tendulkar, Kohli, Dhoni), South Africa – 3 (Kallis, Amla, AB De Villers), and Sri Lanka – 2 (Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene) feature the most in this list.
- Virat Kohli scores a century quicker than anyone else in the list (a century every 7.42 innings) followed by Sachin Tendulkar (7.82) and Hashim Amla (7.95).
- Sachin Tendulkar (34357), Kumar Sangakkara (28016), and Ricky Ponting (27483) have scored the most runs along with their centuries while Hashim Amla (18672) and AB De Villiers (20014) have the least number of runs in this list.
- Sachin Tendulkar (264), Ricky Ponting (217), and Kumar Sangakkara (216) have scored the most 50+ scores across formats.
- Among the Fab Four Virat Kohli (75) leads the charge with Joe Root (46), Steve Smith (44), and Kane Williamson (41) bunched close together to each other. David Warner (45) and Rohit Sharma (43) are the other active players in the Top 21 list of most centuries list.
Cricket Batting Records (Test + ODI + T20I): Top 10 List of Most Century Makers Across Formats
The 100s/Innings is calculated by the number of innings played across formats divided by the number of international centuries. Be careful though, this number might be slightly skewed. For example, Sachin Tendulkar’s ratio is 7.82 innings per hundred, while Kohli’s ratio is 7.42 innings per century.
Sounds pretty close, right? However, if we dissect this further, Virat Kohli has 74 centuries in 450 Tests/ODIs at an absurd average of 6.08 innings per hundred. Since he has played more T20Is (107 innings) than others, his overall ratio is closer to Tendulkar.
Note: * denotes players that are still active in international cricket.
1. Sachin Tendulkar (100 – 51 Tests/49 ODIs), India
- Matches/Innings: 664/782
- 100s/Innings: 7.82 (One Hundred scored every 7-9 innings across format)
- Total 50+ Scores: 264 (100 – 100s, 164 – 50s)
- Total Runs: 34357
2. Virat Kohli* (75 – 28 Tests, 46 ODIs, 1 T20I), India
- Matches/Innings: 498/557
- 100s/Innings: 7.43
- Total 50+ Scores: 205 (75 – 100s, 130 – 50s)
- Total Runs: 25385
3. Ricky Ponting (71 – 41 Tests, 30 ODIs), Australia
- Matches/Innings: 560/668
- 100s/Innings: 9.41
- Total 50+ Scores: 217 (71 – 100s, 146 – 50s)
- Total Runs: 27483
4. Kumar Sangakkara (63 – 38 Tests, 25 ODIs), Sri Lanka
- Matches/Innings: 594/666
- 100s/Innings: 10.57
- Total 50+ Scores: 216 (63 – 100s, 153 – 50s)
- Total Runs: 28016
5. Jacques Kallis (62 – 45 Tests, 17 ODIs), South Africa
- Matches/Innings: 519/617
- 100s/Innings: 9.95
- Total 50+ Scores: 211 (62 – 100s, 149 – 50s)
- Total Runs: 25534
6. Hashim Amla (55 – 28 ODIs, 27 ODIs), South Africa
- Matches/Innings: 349/437
- 100s/Innings: 7.95
- Total 50+ Scores: 143 (55 – 100s, 88 – 50s)
- Total Runs: 18672
7. Mahela Jayawardene (54 – 34 Tests, 19 ODIs, 1 T20I), Sri Lanka
- Matches/Innings: 652/725
- 100s/Innings: 13.43
- Total 50+ Scores: 190 (54 – 100s, 136 – 50s)
- Total Runs: 25957
8. Brian Lara (53 – 34 Tests, 19 ODIs), West Indies
- Matches/Innings: 430/521
- 100s/Innings: 9.83
- Total 50+ Scores: 164 (53 – 100s, 111 – 50s)
- Total Runs: 22358
9. Rahul Dravid (48 – 36 Tests, 12 ODIs), India
- Matches/Innings: 509/605
- 100s/Innings: 12.60
- Total 50+ Scores: 194 (48 – 100s, 146 – 50s)
- Total Runs: 24208
10. AB De Villiers (47 – 22 Tests, 25 ODIs), South Africa
- Matches/Innings: 420/484
- 100s/Innings: 10.30
- Total 50+ Scores: 156 (47 – 100s, 109 – 50s)
- Total Runs: 20014
Most Centuries in International Cricket: #11-21
Here are the honorable mentions. These players all have scored 40 or more centuries in international cricket.
| Rank | Country | Player (Hundreds) | Matches/Innings | 100s/Innings | Runs | 50+ Scores |
| 11 | England | Joe Root* (46) | 322/419 | 9.11 | 18296 | 145 (46 – 100s, 99 – 50s) |
| 12 | Australia | David Warner* (45) | 347/432 | 9.6 | 17262 | 131 (45 -100s, 86 – 50s) |
| 13 | Australia | Steve Smith* (44) | 304/352 | 8 | 15060 | 114 (44 – 100s, 70 – 50s) |
| 14 | India | Rohit Sharma* (43) | 441/461 | 10.72 | 17115 | 134 (43 – 100s, 91 – 50s) |
| 15 | West Indies | Chris Gayle (42) | 483/551 | 13.12 | 19593 | 147 (42 – 100s, 105 – 50s) |
| 16 | Sri Lanka | Sanath Jayasuriya (42) | 586/651 | 15.5 | 21032 | 145 (42 – 100s, 103 – 50s) |
| 17 | New Zealand | Kane Williamson* (41) | 342/402 | 9.80 | 17142 | 133 (41 – 100s, 92 – 50s) |
| 18 | Pakistan | Younis Khan (41) | 408/491 | 11.96 | 17790 | 124 (41 – 100s, 83 – 50s) |
| 19 | West Indies | Shivnarine Chanderpaul (41) | 454/553 | 13.49 | 20988 | 166 (41 – 100s, 125 – 50s) |
| 20 | Australia | Matthew Hayden (40) | 273/348 | 8.49 | 15066 | 109 (40 -100s, 69 – 50s) |
| 21 | New Zealand | Ross Taylor (40) | 450/510 | 12.75 | 18199 | 133 (40 -100s, 93 – 50s) |
Can Virat Kohli Break Sachin Tendulkar’s Record of Hundreds?
Yes, Virat Kohli can break Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most hundreds in cricket, given that he continues playing for a couple more years.
Currently, Virat Kohli is 25 short of Sachin Tendulkar’s world record, but he has also played 225 less innings. At Virat Kohli’s rate of one century every 7.43 innings, Virat Kohli can break Tendulkar’s hundred 100s record if he plays about 186 more innings.
Stas are just there to support the overarching idea, but Kohli looks refreshed since Asia Cup 2022 after three-year drought. He is back at his best with centuries in each format (as well as the IPL). One thing to consider though is overkill in cricket. On the other hand, Virat Kohli might go the AB De Villiers route and retire early due to way too much cricket.
Final Thoughts
These top 10 cricketers have left a significant impact on the sport with their exceptional performances and numerous centuries. Their contributions to the game command respect and admiration.
Now, all eyes will be on Virat Kohli.
We eagerly watch as his journey comes to an end in the next few years, with a question on everyone’s mind: Will he surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s monumental record, what do you say?
Frequently Asked Questions
Sachin Tendulkar has the most centuries in international cricket (100). He has scored 51 centuries in Test cricket as well as 49 centuries in ODI cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar (100), Virat Kohli (75), and Rahul Dravid (48) have the most centuries in international cricket for India across formats.
India – 3 (Tendulkar, Kohli, Dhoni), South Africa – 3 (Kallis, Amla, AB De Villers), and Sri Lanka – 2 (Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene) are in the top of the list for the most centuries in international cricket.
© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, LLC 2023. Originally published on 07/03/2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).
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