The race for cricket’s century crown heats up among today’s batting giants. Only six cricketers have crossed the 45-hundred mark in international cricket – and five still dominate the game today.
Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary milestone of 100 international centuries remains the ultimate benchmark. Yet the current generation keeps pushing boundaries. Virat Kohli leads the active players with 80 hundreds across formats, showcasing his remarkable consistency. Joe Root stands strong at second place with 50 centuries, while David Warner and Rohit Sharma follow closely with 49 and 48 centuries respectively. Kane Williamson completes this elite list, having notched up 45 international hundreds.
Ready to explore the remarkable stories behind these modern batting maestros? Let’s look at how these champions continue raising the bar in international cricket.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Active Players with Most Hundreds in International Cricket
1. Virat Kohli – 82
Cricket’s greatest century machine keeps breaking records. Virat Kohli towers over modern cricket with his remarkable ability to score hundreds across all formats. His bat speaks a language of its own – one that has redefined excellence in 21st-century cricket.
Kohli’s International Centuries Breakdown
Numbers tell an extraordinary tale. Kohli’s 82 international centuries place him second only to Sachin Tendulkar. Want to know what makes this feat special? The runs flow across all formats, showcasing his incredible versatility.
Test cricket has witnessed 30 Kohli centuries, including 7 majestic double hundreds. Here’s something remarkable – he shares the fourth spot for most Test double centuries. Even more impressive? Kohli has scored Test hundreds in and against every country he’s played.
ODI cricket? That’s where King Kohli truly rules. His 51 centuries in this format have left Tendulkar’s previous record of 49 in the dust. The cherry on top? He reached this milestone in fewer innings than the Master Blaster himself.
T20Is might not seem built for hundreds, but Kohli has conquered that format too with one century. Talk about completing the set!
Most Memorable Hundreds by Kohli
Some knocks stay etched in memory forever. Remember that blazing 133* off 86 balls against Sri Lanka in Hobart 2012? India chased down 321 in just 36.4 overs – pure batting brilliance under pressure.
The 183 against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup stands as his highest ODI score. Against the arch-rivals, in a high-stakes game – Kohli at his finest.
Test cricket saw his masterful 254* against South Africa in 2019. Home conditions, patient batting, complete dominance – a perfect Test innings.
The crowning glory? His 50th ODI century in the 2023 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at Wankhede. Breaking records when it matters most – that’s the Kohli way.
Kohli’s Century Scoring Rate
Speed matters, and Kohli sets the pace. He’s the fastest to reach multiple ODI milestones – 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, and 11,000 runs. Converting starts into big scores? Nobody does it better.
The numbers peaked in 2017 and 2018 – 11 centuries each year. After a brief quiet period in 2020-21, 2023 saw him roar back with 8 centuries. Adelaide Oval has become his favorite hunting ground, with multiple centuries in both Tests and ODIs.
Impact of Kohli’s Centuries on Team India
Match-winning hundreds – that’s Kohli’s specialty. Out of 51 ODI centuries, 43 came in chases. India won 24 of these matches. His 58 centuries in winning causes lead all batsmen in international cricket.
Beyond numbers, Kohli’s aggressive style and fitness standards have transformed Indian cricket. Royal Challengers Bangalore, despite no IPL trophy, remains one of the most followed teams – pure Kohli magic.
With 82 international centuries and counting, Tendulkar’s record of 100 hundreds faces its biggest challenge. The chase continues, records keep falling, and cricket fans worldwide watch in awe as this batting maestro crafts his legacy, one century at a time.
2. Joe Root – 52
England’s batting virtuoso keeps piling on the runs. Joe Root stands tall among cricket’s elite with 52 international centuries, becoming the backbone of England’s batting lineup and a dominant force in world cricket.
Root’s Test Match Dominance
Test cricket showcases Root’s true mastery. His 36 Test centuries speak volumes about his command over the longest format. The numbers tell a compelling story – an average of 51.47 reflects his remarkable consistency.
February 2021 witnessed something special. Root became the first cricketer to score a double century in his 100th Test match. That magnificent 218 against India at Chennai’s M. A. Chidambaram Stadium? Pure batting artistry on display.
Here’s what makes Root special – he’s scored centuries against seven Test-playing nations. India remains his favorite hunting ground with ten centuries, proving his adaptability across different conditions.
Root’s ODI Century Collection
While Test cricket headlines Root’s achievements, his ODI record sparkles just as bright. Those 16 ODI centuries? They’ve made him England’s most prolific century-maker in the format.
Root’s ODI hundreds paint a picture of versatility – thirteen different venues, seven different opponents. That unbeaten 133 against Bangladesh in June 2017 perfectly showcases his ability to control an innings.
Remember England’s historic 2019 World Cup triumph? Root emerged as England’s leading run-scorer, proving his worth when the stakes soared highest.
Root’s Batting Technique Analysis
Want to know what makes Root special? It starts with that distinctive side-on stance. The technique allows him to manipulate the ball between point and third man with remarkable precision.
Watch his backfoot trigger movement closely. Starting near leg stump, that backward movement along the same line creates extra time – crucial for playing the ball late under his eyes.
Root’s footwork tells another story. Against fuller deliveries outside off, his front leg strides forward purposefully. For shorter lengths? The front foot plants around middle stump, opening up scoring options through the off-side or on the pull.
This technical mastery leaves bowlers scratching their heads. Finding weaknesses in Root’s game? Good luck with that – he scores all around the wicket.
Key Milestones in Root’s Career
Root’s journey to cricket’s summit features remarkable landmarks:
- Test debut: A promising 73 against India (December 2012)
- First Test century: New Zealand felt his class at Headingley (May 2013)
- Ashes glory: Youngest English centurion at Lord’s – 180 runs of pure magic
- Wisden honor: Named among 2014’s five Cricketers of the Year
- Double century collection: Six doubles, topped by that mammoth 262 against Pakistan (October 2024)
- England’s run king: Surpassed Cook’s record on October 9, 2024
- 10,000 Test runs: Second Englishman to reach this milestone (June 2022)
- Partnership records: Holds highest fourth-wicket (454 with Brook) and tenth-wicket (198 with Anderson) stands
Root’s consistency? Five calendar years with 1,000+ Test runs – only Tendulkar has done better. 2024 already shows 1,162 runs and 5 centuries. His captaincy tenure brought England 27 wins in 64 Tests – more than any other English captain.
The future looks bright. Root eyes Tendulkar’s 15,000 Test runs mark – only the second player to potentially reach this summit. Cricket fans worldwide watch eagerly as this modern great continues crafting his legacy, one masterful innings at a time.
3. Rohit Sharma – 49
The master of mammoth scores stands tall in cricket’s elite club. Rohit Sharma’s 49 international centuries tell only half the story – it’s his knack for turning hundreds into double hundreds that sets him apart. His willow has painted new possibilities in limited-overs cricket.
Sharma’s ODI Double Centuries
Want to know what makes Sharma special? He’s the only cricketer with three ODI double centuries. The first came against Australia in 2013, but the best was yet to come. Against Sri Lanka in 2014, Sharma smashed 264 – the highest individual ODI score ever recorded.
Mohali 2017 witnessed another Sharma masterclass. Starting steady, reaching hundred off 115 balls, then unleashing fury. The scoreboard read 208 not out, decorated with 13 fours and 12 sixes. That 44th over? Four consecutive sixes – pure batting brilliance.
Sharma’s Test Match Transformation
Test cricket tells a tale of reinvention. Since opening in 2019, Sharma’s numbers speak volumes – 50.03 average between October 2019 and March 2024, towering above the overall opener’s average of 37.85.
The stats get better. Nine centuries out of 23 scored by openers, strike rate 58.39 versus the average 54.22. The secret? Technical tweaks – middle stump guard, refined foot movement, better handling of moving balls.
T20I Centuries by Rohit
T20 cricket’s century king wears the crown proudly. Five T20I hundreds put Sharma ahead of Glenn Maxwell and Suryakumar Yadav. January 2024 saw his highest score – unbeaten 121 against Afghanistan.
Captain’s innings? Sharma knows a thing or two about those. Three T20I centuries while leading India match Babar Azam’s captain’s record. No wonder he tops T20I run charts – 4,231 runs in 159 matches tell their own story.
Tactical Analysis of Rohit’s Batting
ODI captaincy brought a batting revolution. Gone are the careful starts – now it’s aggression from ball one. Since 2022, powerplay numbers show only two batters scoring faster than Sharma’s strike rate of 111.
Watch his technique closely. Minimal front foot press keeps him ready for pacers, handling swing both ways. That refined bat flow from just outside off? Makes moving deliveries look harmless.
This batting evolution marks Sharma’s journey from talented opener to complete batsman. His aggressive blueprint as captain shapes India’s white-ball cricket future. The double century specialist keeps finding new ways to dominate – across all formats, against all attacks.
4. Steve Smith – 48
The leg-spinner turned batting genius rewrites cricket’s rulebook. Steve Smith’s 48 international centuries showcase a transformation that places him alongside Sir Donald Bradman in Australian cricket folklore.
Test cricket witnessed Smith’s true metamorphosis after 2013. His batting rating soared to 947 in December 2017 – only the great Don Bradman’s 961 stands taller.
Those 36 Test hundreds? They place Smith alongside legends Rahul Dravid and Joe Root at fifth spot in the all-time list. Speed matters – Smith reached there in 206 innings, second only to Ricky Ponting’s 200-innings sprint.
Leadership brought out Smith’s best. Seventeen Test centuries as captain rank him behind only three giants – Graeme Smith (25), Virat Kohli (20), and Ricky Ponting (19). The subcontinent surrendered to his mastery – seven Test centuries there lead all Australian batters.
Numbers paint a picture of complete dominance. Pace or spin? Smith averages 55.29 against quick men, 63.03 against tweakers. First innings? Twenty-five centuries – nobody in Test history has more.
ODI cricket tells another tale of excellence. Twelve centuries grace his collection, crowned by that magnificent 164 against New Zealand at the SCG. Even T20 cricket bows to his versatility – back-to-back BBL hundreds for Sydney Sixers in 2023 prove it.
Watch Smith bat – poetry in motion meets scientific precision. Quick feet dance against spin, while fast bowlers face a master of drive and pull. That unique technique? More moving parts than a Swiss watch, yet precision-engineered for all conditions.
The milestones keep falling. 2023 saw Smith join cricket’s elite 10,000 Test runs club – just the fourth Australian there. That 56.74 average? Only Kumar Sangakkara’s 57.4 beats it among this exclusive group.
February 2002 to November 2007 witnessed something special – 6,257 runs in 100 innings, setting new benchmarks. Twenty-four centuries in this golden run matched Ponting and Sangakkara’s best streaks.
The Ashes brought out Smith’s finest. Twelve centuries there put him alongside Jack Hobbs, trailing only Bradman. India felt his wrath too – 11 centuries against them make Smith unique in scoring 10+ tons against two teams.
Home or away? Smith conquers all. India yielded 805 runs at 50.31 with three centuries. England? Two thousand runs at 57.14 with seven hundreds. Different conditions, same result – Smith dominates.
5. Kane Williamson – 47
Cricket’s zen master crafts centuries with surgical precision. Kane Williamson stands apart in the modern game – 47 international hundreds speak of technical excellence that makes batting look like an art form.
Williamson’s Test Match Excellence
The numbers tell a story of pure mastery. Thirty-three Test centuries place Williamson eleventh on the all-time list. Recent form? Seven hundreds in seven Tests – batting perfection personified. February 2023 marked another milestone as he surpassed Ross Taylor to become New Zealand’s highest Test run-scorer.
Watch Williamson’s consistency against top teams. Five or more centuries each against England, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka showcase his versatility. Home comforts bring out his best – 20 centuries on New Zealand soil tell their own tale.
ODI Centuries Analysis
ODI cricket reveals another dimension of Williamson’s craft. Fourteen centuries grace his collection, topped by that masterful 148 against West Indies at Old Trafford in 2019. February 2025 witnessed something special – his 14th ODI ton after 2060 days.
English conditions? They bring out Williamson’s best. That remarkable 69.65 average in England leaves contemporaries trailing. The perfect anchor, he guides New Zealand’s ship through ODI waters with calculated precision.
Williamson’s Batting Technique
Want to understand batting perfection? Study Williamson’s technique. While others chase complexity, he embraces simplicity – playing late, soft hands, minimal movement.
The Williamson method breaks down to four key elements:
- Trigger movements? Minimal
- Back foot? Dominant
- Ball meeting? Late and under the eyes
- Hands? Soft, especially through gully
This technical masterclass works against all comers. Pace or spin? A compact defense and perfect balance handle both. No flashy shots needed – just backward movement, dead bat, precise control.
Impact on New Zealand Cricket
Beyond personal glory lies team triumph. Williamson led New Zealand to their first ICC World Test Championship in 2021, conquering India in the final. His calm leadership transformed Kiwi cricket culture.
Leadership? It’s about more than numbers. Williamson’s quiet excellence shaped a team in his image – consistent, composed, clinical. Stepping down from white-ball captaincy in 2024 closed one chapter, but his batting saga continues.
The technical master keeps evolving. Six Test double centuries – a New Zealand first. Each innings showcases the precision engineering that defines Williamson’s batting. Cricket’s architect keeps building his legacy, one technically perfect innings at a time.
Comparison Table: Cricket’s Century Kings
Ready to see how these batting giants stack up? Here’s your complete guide to cricket’s most prolific century-makers:
| Player | Total International Centuries | Test Centuries | ODI Centuries | T20I Centuries | Notable Achievement/Record |
| Virat Kohli | 82 | 30 | 51 | 1 | Most ODI centuries (51), surpassing Tendulkar’s record of 49 |
| Joe Root | 52 | 36 | 16 | N/A | First cricketer to score double century in 100th Test match |
| Rohit Sharma | 49 | 12 | 32 | 5 | Only batsman with three ODI double centuries |
| Steve Smith | 48 | 36 | 12 | N/A | Second-highest Test batting rating (947) after Bradman |
| Kane Williamson | 47 | 33 | 14 | Not mentioned | Seven centuries in last seven Test matches |
The numbers tell fascinating stories. Kohli towers above all with 82 centuries, while Root’s Test mastery shines through with 36 hundreds. Sharma’s unique feat of three ODI double tons sets him apart, Smith’s Test rating nearly touches Bradman’s heights, and Williamson’s recent streak shows his enduring class.
Want to know what makes these statistics special? Each player brings their unique flavor to the century-making art. From Kohli’s chase mastery to Williamson’s technical perfection, these numbers showcase cricket’s golden generation at their finest.
Conclusion
Cricket’s golden age shines through these five batting titans. Their combined 278 international centuries paint a picture of pure dominance – across formats, conditions, and continents.
Want to witness greatness? Watch Kohli march towards Tendulkar’s 100 centuries with his current tally of 82. Marvel at Root’s technical brilliance yielding 52 hundreds. Feel the thrill as Sharma turns centuries into double tons, 49 times and counting. Observe Smith’s transformation into a run machine with 48 centuries. Experience Williamson’s classical perfection through 47 masterful hundreds.
Each brings their own magic to the crease. Kohli charges like a warrior, Root dissects with surgical precision, Sharma explodes with controlled fury, Smith rewrites batting’s rulebook, and Williamson orchestrates with zen-like calm.
Ready for cricket’s next chapter? These modern giants hunt new records with fierce hunger. Their rivalry pushes boundaries, threatens records, and promises more batting brilliance ahead. The century-scoring revolution continues – and you’re watching history unfold.
Read more: IPL 2025: Top 10 Players with the Most Centuries in IPL History
FAQs
Who has scored the most centuries among active international cricketers?
Virat Kohli leads active players with 82 international centuries across all formats, followed by Joe Root with 52 centuries.
Which player has the most ODI centuries in cricket history?
Virat Kohli holds the record for most ODI centuries with 51, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record of 49 ODI hundreds.
How does Kane Williamson’s century-scoring rate compare to other top batsmen?
Kane Williamson has scored 45 international centuries in 427 innings, which is a comparable rate to Steve Smith (44 in 397 innings) and better than some other top batsmen when accounting for innings played.
What unique achievement does Rohit Sharma hold in ODI cricket?
Rohit Sharma is the only cricketer to score three double centuries in ODI cricket, with his highest score being 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014.
How has Joe Root’s Test performance evolved in recent years?
Joe Root has been in exceptional form in Test cricket, scoring multiple centuries and becoming the second English batsman to reach 10,000 Test runs in 2022. He continues to be a key player for England across all formats.
