Scoring a century in cricket is always special, but doing it in back-to-back matches is even rarer. Kumar Sangakkara from Sri Lanka achieved this in the 2015 Cricket World Cup, scoring four consecutive ODI centuries, a record no one had reached before.
This shows not just his skill, but also his focus and consistency over several games. A few players have managed three centuries in a row, but Sangakkara’s achievement still stands apart.
Read on to know about players who scored consecutive ODI centuries, the matches they played, and why these feats are significant.
Most Consecutive Centuries In ODI – Player Records Table
| Player | Country | Consecutive 100s | Date Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| KC Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 4 | 26 Feb 2015 – 11 Mar 2015 |
| Zaheer Abbas | Pakistan | 3 | 17 Dec 1982 – 21 Jan 1983 |
| Saeed Anwar | Pakistan | 3 | 30 Oct 1993 – 2 Nov 1993 |
| HH Gibbs | South Africa | 3 | 20 Sep 2002 – 3 Oct 2002 |
| AB de Villiers | South Africa | 3 | 24 Feb 2010 – 22 May 2010 |
| Q de Kock | South Africa | 3 | 5 Dec 2013 – 11 Dec 2013 |
| LRPL Taylor | New Zealand | 3 | 28 Jan 2014 – 8 Dec 2014 |
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | 3 | 30 Sep 2016 – 5 Oct 2016 |
| JM Bairstow | England | 3 | 7 Mar 2018 – 10 Jun 2018 |
| V Kohli | India | 3 | 21 Oct 2018 – 27 Oct 2018 |
| RG Sharma | India | 3 | 30 Jun 2019 – 6 Jul 2019 |
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | 3 | 31 Mar 2022 – 8 Jun 2022 |
| Fakhar Zaman | Pakistan | 3 | 13 Jan 2023 – 29 Apr 2023 |
Now, let’s take a quick look at the players’ records in brief
1. Kumar Sangakkara – 4 Hundreds
Sangakkara’s streak began with 105 against Bangladesh in Melbourne on 26 February 2015. He followed it with 117 not out against England in Wellington and 104 against Australia in Sydney. He completed the run with 124 against Scotland in Hobart.
All four centuries came during the 2015 World Cup, co-hosted by Sri Lanka, Australia, and New Zealand. This made him the first player in World Cup history to score three consecutive hundreds.
At 37, Sangakkara was past most batsmen’s prime. These centuries placed him in the elite group with over 2,500 runs in 50 consecutive ODI innings, and his streak remains unmatched.
2. Zaheer Abbas- 3 Hundreds
Zaheer Abbas made a mark in ODI cricket with three consecutive centuries against India. He started with 118 in Multan on 17 December 1982, followed it with 105 in Lahore on 31 December, and finished with 113 in Karachi on 21 January 1983.
All three hundred came in a home series, showing his dominance and consistency against strong opposition. Known for his stylish stroke play and ability to score quickly, Abbas stood out during this period.
3. Saeed Anwar -3 Hundreds
Saeed Anwar made headlines in Sharjah in 1993 by scoring three consecutive centuries. He scored 107 against Sri Lanka, 131 against the West Indies, and 111 against Sri Lanka within three days.
Achieving all three hundred in just three days highlighted his consistency and ability to perform under tight schedules.
This streak was part of a tournament in the UAE and helped him become Pakistan’s leading ODI run-scorer. It remains one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of Pakistan cricket.
4. Herschelle Gibbs- 3 Hundreds
Herschelle Gibbs began his streak with 116 against Kenya in Colombo on 20 September 2002.
He followed it with an unbeaten 116 against India in Colombo on 25 September, and then scored 153 against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom on 3 October 2002.
These centuries spanned different countries, demonstrating his ability to perform under varied conditions. Gibbs was known for his elegant stroke play and attacking mindset, making him a key player for South Africa.
5. AB de Villiers- 3 Hundreds
AB de Villiers scored 114 against India in Gwalior on 24 February 2010. He then scored 102 against India in Ahmedabad on 27 February, and both knocks were unbeaten.
His 102 against West Indies in North Sound on 22 May 2010 was his next consecutive hundred.
These centuries came across different venues and against different teams, showing his consistency and ability to adapt to varied conditions. De Villiers was known for his aggressive style and innovative shots.
His three consecutive centuries came during a peak period in his career, highlighting his dominance in ODI cricket and helping him become one of South Africa’s highest run-scorers.
AB de Villiers also holds the record for the fastest ODI century, scoring 100 runs in just 31 balls in 2015.
6. Quinton de Kock- 3 Hundreds
Quinton de Kock scored 135 against India in Johannesburg on 5 December 2013. He followed it with 106 against India in Durban on 8 December, and completed the streak with 101 in Centurion on 11 December 2013.
All three centuries came against the same team, highlighting how well he stayed in touch throughout that run. De Kock’s positive approach at the top made him an important part of South Africa’s line-up.
These consecutive centuries came early in his ODI career, signaling his rise as a top-class batsman. He later became South Africa’s limited-overs captain, and the streak remains a major highlight of his career.
7. Ross Taylor- 3 Hundreds
Ross Taylor scored an unbeaten 112 against India in Hamilton on 28 January 2014. He followed it with 102 against India in Wellington on 31 January, and completed the streak with 105 not out against Pakistan in Dubai on 8 December 2014.
Taylor was known for finishing innings and performing under pressure, making him a key middle-order batsman for New Zealand.
His streak helped New Zealand win crucial matches and contributed to his rise as one of the country’s highest run-scorers in ODI cricket.
8. Babar Azam- 3 Hundreds
Babar Azam put together a neat three-match run against the West Indies in 2016. It began in Sharjah on 30 September, where he put up 120 and settled in early.
He stayed in the same ground on 2 October and added 123. The tempo of his batting stayed the same, and he kept the innings steady from one end.
The series moved to Abu Dhabi on 5 October, and he finished the streak with 117. Three hundreds in three games placed him on a clear rise in ODI cricket.
9. JM Bairstow- 3 Hundreds
Jonny Bairstow’s run began in Dunedin on 7 March 2018, where he struck 138 against New Zealand. He played with clear intent from the start and kept the innings moving.
Three days later in Christchurch, he added 104. He kept the same flow at the top and gave England another strong start.
A few months later, on 10 June in Edinburgh, he continued that form with 105 against Scotland. These three innings marked one of his sharpest stretches in ODI cricket.
10. Virat Kohli – 3 Hundreds
Virat Kohli scored 140 against the West Indies in Guwahati on 21 October 2018. He followed it with an unbeaten 157* in Visakhapatnam on 24 October and then added 107 in Pune on 27 October.
All three innings came in consecutive ODIs, keeping India in control in each match. His timing, shot selection, and control made each knock special.
This run remains one of the standout stretches of his ODI career, with three hundreds in a row against the same opposition.
11. Rohit Sharma- 3 Hundreds
Rohit Sharma was in great form during the 2019 summer. He scored 102 against England in Birmingham on 30 June, giving India a strong start in that match.
In the next game, two days later at the same ground, he added 104 against Bangladesh, keeping the innings steady and building on the previous performance.
A few days later in Leeds, he scored 103 against Sri Lanka. Three hundred in three consecutive matches showed the consistency and rhythm he carried through that period.
12. Babar Azam- 3 Hundreds
Babar Azam’s centuries just did not stop at Abu Dhabi. He continued his rich run in Lahore, scoring 114 against Australia on 31 March 2022.
He followed it up with an unbeaten 105* in the next match against the same team on 2 April, keeping Pakistan in control throughout the innings. The streak carried into Multan on 8 June, where he added 103 against the West Indies.
13. Fakhar Zaman- 3 Hundreds
Fakhar Zaman scored one of his top consecutive centuries in 2023 with 101 against New Zealand in Karachi on 13 January. He kept the run going in Rawalpindi on 27 April, scoring 117 and giving Pakistan a strong innings.
Two days later, still in Rawalpindi, he made an unbeaten 180*. Three big scores in a short period showed how well he was batting at the top of the order.
Recent Record Of ODI Centuries
Virat Kohli set a record with his 53rd ODI century in the second match against South Africa at Raipur. He reached 100 in just 90 balls, marking his second century in the three-match series and the 11th time he has scored back-to-back hundreds in ODIs.
This was Kohli’s seventh century against South Africa in 31 innings. He was dismissed for 102 off 93 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes, showing his consistency against strong opposition.
Kohli has scored three centuries this year, making 586 runs in 12 innings. Since his debut in 2008, he has scored three or more centuries in a year 11 times, highlighting his dominance in ODIs.
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Conclusion: Kumar Sangakkara Leads With Four Consecutive ODI Centuries
Scoring consecutive centuries in ODIs is rare. Sangakkara’s four remain the best, while AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock, and Herschelle Gibbs managed three in a row, showing exceptional skill and consistency.
These streaks show the mental strength and adaptability needed to perform across different conditions, opponents, and venues. Maintaining peak form over multiple matches is what makes these records so special in cricket history.
In upcoming ODIs, it will be interesting to see whether new players challenge these records or whether the achievements remain unmatched.
FAQs
1. Who Has the Record of Scoring Four Consecutive Centuries in ODI?
Kumar Sangakkara from Sri Lanka holds the record with four consecutive ODI centuries during the 2015 Cricket World Cup between February and March.
2. How many players have scored three consecutive centuries in ODIs?
Six players have scored three consecutive ODI centuries: AB de Villiers, Herschelle Gibbs, Quinton de Kock, Ross Taylor, Saeed Anwar, and Zaheer Abbas.
3. Which opposition teams were most frequently involved in consecutive centuries?
India has been the opposition most frequently, facing consecutive centuries from Zaheer Abbas, Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock, and Ross Taylor.
4. Has any player achieved consecutive centuries in World Cup matches?
Kumar Sangakkara achieved four consecutive centuries during the 2015 Cricket World Cup, making him the only player to score three straight World Cup hundreds.
5. What is the fastest century among consecutive ODI centuries?
Among the consecutive century records, Herschelle Gibbs’ 153 off 111 balls and AB de Villiers’ centuries in the 100-ball range are among the fastest.
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