Highest Century Makers in Cricket History

Cricket’s highest centuries are an invaluable way of distinguishing those who stand out as exceptional batsmen from those who simply try. Sachin Tendulkar set an astounding 100 international centuries, while Virat Kohli displayed amazing target chasing skills en route to hitting more than 80 centuries overall – here’s a look back at some of cricket’s prolific century makers!

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar earned immortality with an extraordinary career that produced 100 international centuries, his beautiful stroke play and consistency across formats making him one of the greatest batsmen ever seen in cricket history.

Test matches require technique and patience, giving rise to their own set of heroes. One such figure is Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka – his batsmanship has earned him 63 Test and ODI centuries in total during his career, making him a true all-rounder and master in both forms of the game.

2. Virat Kohli

An impressive century is an invaluable achievement and signifies a player’s talent and resilience under pressure in challenging conditions.

Virat Kohli is one of the greatest batsmen in world cricket, known for his passion and ability to produce match-defining innings.

Kohli had scored an exceptional 103 against Rangana Herath’s bowling to keep India competitive against Sri Lanka at Galle. To date, this remains his sole pink-ball century, though he has reached three ODI tons already.

3. Joe Root

Joe Root is currently England’s batting hero and one of the greatest in world cricket history, having amassed 54 centuries in just over 10 years of international play.

Though Root had struggled to convert fifties to hundreds, he has shown an insatiable hunger for runs – scoring 180 in Lord’s during Ashes Test 2013.

He continued his impressive form on the 2021 tour of India where he scored two double-hundreds and led his side to an unassailable 3-1 series victory against South Africa that year.

4. Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle is one of the most well-known batting talents and is best known for his power hitting. Using a heavy bat and standing tall at the batting crease makes him a daunting opponent to face at bat.

Gayle holds the record for highest run scoring in Test cricket history and captained West Indies from 2007 to 2010. Additionally, he has scored numerous centuries across ODIs and T20 matches.

He currently plays for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. With 21 T20 centuries under his belt and being the first player ever to hit 100 T20I sixes.

5. David Hookes

After an underwhelming start for South Australia, Hookes quickly gained notoriety in 1977 by scoring five consecutive centuries – including an outstanding 160-run knock over 17 days! He even hit England captain Tony Greig for five fours in one over at Melbourne and seemed destined for great things in his cricketing career. However, his success faded quickly as his form waned over time and other bowlers came into play.

Hookes followed Ian Chappell in joining World Series Cricket as it offered more cricketing freedom; unfortunately he never achieved his full potential, eventually passing away after being punched by a bouncer at a hotel in Melbourne.

6. Sahil Chauhan

Test cricket’s longest format requires skill, patience, and mental fortitude – an endurance that modern legends often exhibit. A race for centuries can often prove intensely competitive.

Estonia batter Sahil Chauhan set the fastest century ever achieved in Twenty20 international cricket after hitting three figures off just 27 balls against Cyprus in June 2024. Chauhan hit 18 sixes during his innings to break Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton’s old record of 30 balls.

7. AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers is widely recognized as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history, known as a 360-degree batter who could excel across any format of play.

Long-format Test cricket requires patience and technique. The list of players with most Test centuries is dominated by true masters of the game.

Kumar Sangakkara was one of Sri Lanka’s greatest batsmen with 62 international centuries to his credit and was known for his elegant style of batting. Now leading South Africa Champions in the World Championship of Legends.

8. Shahid Afridi

Cricket is an eulogized sport that places immense value on individual milestones, one being scoring a century, an innings comprising 100 or more runs.

Afridi made his ODI debut in 1996 and scored the fastest ever century at that time – 37 balls! Additionally, he hit 11 sixes during an explosive innings.

This was Afridi’s inaugural ODI hundred, setting him on his path towards becoming one of the greatest big-hitters ever seen in international cricket. Since then he has scored more than 350 sixes in ODIs alone!

9. Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill has made waves both domestically and internationally since making his mark through scoring at Ranji Trophy and India A matches, drawing attention from selectors.

As Ravindra Jadeja batted alongside him at Headingley against England, he displayed calmness and steady batting style that didn’t get derailed by either conditions or opposition plans. According to Cricviz’s records, his false shot percentage for that century in England was just 3.5% – one of the lowest such rates seen for one in that country! Now with 9 international centuries in Tests, ODIs and T20Is to his credit, his international career stands taller than ever.

10. David Warner

No batsman has altered the way that opening batters play cricket quite like Warner. His 49 Test centuries showcase his big-match temperament and aggressive approach.

Warner displayed his strength despite Sydney’s torrential downpour with this innings, unfazed by South African bowling unit featuring Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. Unable to be intimidated, Warner tore through their bowling line-up effortlessly.

His 335* was his highest score ever in a Test match and the seventh Australian triple ton ever, surpassing Sir Donald Bradman’s record. Few batsmen can so effectively drive home their side’s advantage at such an important stage of a contest.