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10 Players With Most Centuries in International Cricket (2025 List)

July 4, 2025

Imagine facing the world’s fastest bowlers, with millions watching, and still managing to score 100 runs without getting out. That’s what makes a century so special in cricket. 

These magical three-digit scores separate the wheat from the chaff and create heroes that fans remember forever. From Sachin Tendulkar’s record-breaking 100 centuries to Virat Kohli’s masterclass in chasing down targets, these batting giants have redefined what’s possible with a cricket bat.

In this article, you’ll discover the top 10 players who have scored the most centuries in international cricket. You’ll learn about their incredible records, their signature performances, and the unique qualities that made them century-scoring machines.

Top 10 Players with the Most Centuries in International Cricket

Here’s a complete look at the top 10 century-makers in international cricket history.

PlayerSpanMatchesRunsAverage100s50sBest Score
S Tendulkar
(IND)
1989-20136647827448.52100164248*
V Kohli
(IND)
2008-20255507892752.2782143254*
R Ponting
(AUS/ICC)
1995-20125607027445.9571146257
K Sangakkara
(Asia/ICC/SL)
2000-20155947280146.7763153319
J Kallis
(SA/ICC)
1995-20145197972449.1062149224
H Amla
(SA/World XI)
2004-20193493618646.565588311*
J Root
(ENG)
2012-20253655221049.3554112262
M Jayawardene
(Asia/SL)
1997-20156525962239.1554136374
B Lara
(ICC/WI)
1990-20074303822346.2853111400*
D Warner
(AUS)
2009-20243832618942.394998335*

Let’s dig deeper into each of these amazing century-makers.

1. Sachin Tendulkar (India)

StatValue
Debut1989
Retirement2013
Matches664
Runs78,274
Centuries100
Fifties164
Best Score248*
Average48.52

Sachin Tendulkar is cricket’s most excellent run machine. He scored 100 international centuries – a record that may never be broken. He played for 24 years, thrilling fans around the world with his impeccable batting technique and insatiable hunger for runs. With 34,357 runs in 664 Matches, he remains the highest run-scorer in International Cricket History.

Sachin Tendulkar's Most Centuries in International Cricket
Source: BBC

The young master from Mumbai began playing for India at the age of 16. He scored his first century at age 17 and never looked back. His 100th international century came in 2012 against Bangladesh, and the entire cricket world celebrated with him.

2. Virat Kohli (India) 

StatValue
Debut2008
Current StatusActive
Matches550
Runs78,927
Centuries82
Fifties143
Best Score254*
Average52.27

Virat Kohli is the modern-day king of cricket. With 82 centuries, he’s still playing and could break Sachin’s record of 100 centuries. His average of 52.27 is better than Sachin’s, showing how consistent he has been throughout his career.

Virat Kohli (India)
Source: espncricinfo

The Delhi boy started as an aggressive young batter but learned to control his emotions and play smarter cricket. His centuries often come in important matches, which shows his big-match temperament. Fans call him the chase master because he rarely fails when India is chasing a big score.

3. Ricky Ponting (Australia)

StatValue
Debut1995
Retirement2012
Matches560
Runs70,274
Centuries71
Fifties146
Best Score257
Average45.95

Ricky Ponting was Australia’s most successful captain and one of their greatest batters. His 71 centuries helped Australia dominate world cricket in the 2000s. He led Australia to two World Cup victories and countless other wins.

Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Source: timesnownews

The Tasmanian tiger, as fans called him, played some of his best innings in World Cups and essential series. His century in the 2003 World Cup final helped Australia crush India. He retired as one of the most respected players in cricket history.

4. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) 

StatValue
Debut2000
Retirement2015
Matches594
Runs72,801
Centuries63
Fifties153
Best Score319
Average46.77

Kumar Sangakkara was pure class with the bat. The left-handed batter from Sri Lanka scored 63 centuries with a beautiful technique that made batting look easy. He was also a brilliant wicket-keeper for many years.

Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
Source: aninews

The stylish left-hander was also a great leader and thinker of the game. After retirement, he became a respected commentator and coach. His smooth batting style inspired many young players to take up cricket and dream of playing like him.

5. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) 

StatValue
Debut1995
Retirement2014
Matches519
Runs79,724
Centuries62
Fifties149
Best Score224
Average49.10

Jacques Kallis was not just a great batter but also a brilliant bowler. His 62 centuries came while he was also taking wickets for South Africa. He is considered the greatest all-rounder in cricket history because he could win matches with both bat and ball.

Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
Source: independent

The big man from Cape Town scored runs all around the world. He was outstanding in Test matches, where his patience and technique were most valuable. Many experts believe he was the most complete cricketer ever because he could do everything well.

6. Hashim Amla (South Africa)

StatValue
Debut2004
Retirement2019
Matches349
Runs36,186
Centuries55
Fifties88
Best Score311*
Average46.56

Hashim Amla had one of the most beautiful batting techniques in modern cricket. His 55 centuries came from his calm approach and perfect timing. He was known for his humility and sportsmanship, making him a fan favorite worldwide.

Hashim Amla (South Africa)
Source: Hindustan Times

Amla was brilliant against both pace and spin bowling. His highest score of 311 not out shows his ability to convert good starts into massive scores. He was particularly good at playing long innings and frustrating opposition bowlers.

7. Joe Root (England)

StatValue
Debut2012
Current StatusActive
Matches365
Runs52,210
Centuries54
Fifties112
Best Score262
Average49.35

Joe Root is England’s current batting star and one of the best players in the world today. His 54 centuries have come in just over 10 years of international cricket, showing how quickly he scores big runs. He’s still playing and could climb much higher on this list.

Joe Root (England)
Source: skysports

The Yorkshire batter has led England as captain and scored runs all around the world. His hunger for big scores is obvious from his conversion rate – he rarely gets out once he reaches 50. Cricket fans expect him to score many more centuries before he retires.

8. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) 

StatValue
Debut1997
Retirement2015
Matches652
Runs59,622
Centuries54
Fifties136
Best Score374
Average39.15

Mahela Jayawardene was one of the most elegant batters cricket has ever seen. His 54 centuries were scored with beautiful stroke play that made batting look like an art form. He played more matches than most players and was incredibly consistent throughout his long career.

Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
Source: espncricinfo

The stylish right-hander from Colombo was also a brilliant fielder and occasional captain. After retirement, he became a successful coach and helped develop young players. His smooth batting technique remains a model for coaching young cricketers.

9. Brian Lara (West Indies) 

StatValue
Debut1990
Retirement2007
Matches430
Runs38,223
Centuries53
Fifties111
Best Score400*
Average46.28

Brian Lara was pure magic with the bat. His 53 centuries included some of the most spectacular innings ever played. He holds the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket – 400 not out – which shows his incredible ability to score big runs.

Brian Lara (West Indies) 
Source: independent

The left-handed genius from Trinidad carried the West Indies team for many years. He often scored runs when his team was struggling and single-handedly won matches for them. His entertaining style of play made him one of the most popular cricketers of all time.

10. David Warner (Australia) 

StatValue
Debut2009
Current StatusRecently Retired
Matches383
Runs26,189
Centuries49
Fifties98
Best Score335*
Average42.39

David Warner changed the way opening batters play cricket. His 49 centuries came from his aggressive approach and ability to score runs quickly from the start of an innings. He was particularly dangerous in limited-overs cricket, where his fast scoring helped Australia post big totals.

David Warner (Australia)
Source: espncricinfo

The left-handed opener from Sydney, who retired recently, left behind a legacy of exciting cricket. He scored runs at a faster rate than most batters and often gave Australia flying starts in matches. His aggressive style influenced many young players to play positive cricket from the beginning of their innings.

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Conclusion: Sachin Tendulkar Has the Most Centuries in International Cricket 

Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries remains a landmark in cricket history. His 24-year career and incredible consistency make him the greatest century-maker of all time. However, Virat Kohli is still playing in ODI cricket and could challenge this record in the coming years.

These 10 players have entertained cricket fans for decades with their brilliant batting. They’ve shown that scoring centuries requires not just skill but also mental strength, patience, and the hunger to score big runs.

As cricket continues to grow around the world, new players will emerge and try to break these outstanding records. But these legends will always be remembered for their incredible achievements and the joy they brought to millions of cricket fans worldwide.

FAQs

Who has scored the most centuries in international cricket?

Sachin Tendulkar from India holds the record with 100 international centuries scored over his 24-year career from 1989 to 2013.

Which active player has the most centuries?

Virat Kohli from India is the active player with the most centuries (82) and has the best chance of breaking Sachin’s record.

What is the highest individual score among these top century-makers? 

Brian Lara holds the record with 400 not out in Test cricket, which is also the highest individual score in Test cricket history.

Which player has the best batting average among the top 10?

Virat Kohli has the best average at 52.27, followed by Jacques Kallis at 49.10 and Joe Root at 49.35.

How many players from this list are still playing? 

Currently, Joe Root from England is the leading active player from this list, while Virat Kohli continues to play selectively for India.

Siddharth Joshi is the voice behind GenZcricket, a cricket lover turned storyteller. Born in 2001, his dream of becoming a cricketer was cut short by an early injury—but his love for the game never faded. Instead, he found a new way to stay connected by analyzing matches, players, and stadiums through his platform. With GenZcricket, Siddharth aims to help the younger generation dive deeper into the game with insights, stats, and stories. His goal is to make cricket exciting, relatable, and accessible for fans of all ages—especially Gen Z.

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