A top-order batter’s role in ODI in cricket is all about making a sizeable contribution to the team’s total and making it either daunting for the opposition to achieve the target or making the team go over the line in the time of a chase. When we say runs, a cricket viewer’s mind is programmed to take a look at the number of centuries scored by a team, and this parameter is one of the important metrics to judge a player’s true calibre.
It is because scoring a century is an art, and we don’t see all the players who bat bring up their ton quite often. A batter needs discipline and calmness, apart from technique and skill, to get to the 3-figure mark. That is why a century for a batsman is special, irrespective of the format, condition, or opposition.
A batsman consistently scoring a century is a blessing for the team, as it more often makes the side go over the line. So here in this piece, we will discuss the batters who notched up their first 10 ODI tons in the least number of innings.
Fastest to 10 ODI Centuries
| Player | Inns | Match Date | Versus | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock (SA) | 55 | 09/02/2016 | England | SuperSport Park |
| Hashim Amla (SA) | 57 | 28/08/2012 | England | The Rose Bowl |
| Fakhar Zaman (PAK) | 67 | 29/04/2023 | New Zealand | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| Shubman Gill (IND) | 67 | 27/09/2026 | West Indies | Greenfield International Stadium |
| Babar Azam (PAK) | 68 | 26/06/2019 | New Zealand | Edgbaston |
| Shai Hope (WI) | 74 | 10/03/2021 | Sri Lanka | Sir Vivian Richards Stadium |
| Jonny Bairstow (ENG) | 76 | 16/09/2020 | Australia | Old Trafford |
| Shikhar Dhawan (IND) | 77 | 08/06/2017 | Sri Lanka | Kennington Oval |
| Virat Kohli (IND) | 80 | 13/03/2012 | Sri Lanka | Shere Bangla National Stadium |
| Aaron Finch (AUS) | 83 | 18/01/2018 | England | Brisbane Cricket Ground |
| Joe Root (ENG) | 84 | 01/06/2017 | Bangladesh | Kennington Oval |
| David Warner (AUS) | 85 | 06/12/2016 | New Zealand | Manuka Oval |
| Calum MacLeod (SCO) | 86 | 17/08/2022 | United States | Mannofield Park |
| Jason Roy (ENG) | 96 | 22/06/2022 | Netherlands | VRA Ground |
| Gordon Greenidge (WI) | 99 | 18/10/1988 | Pakistan | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| Herschelle Gibbs (SA) | 105 | 03/10/2002 | Bangladesh | Senwes Park |
| Marcus Trescothick (ENG) | 106 | 07/07/2005 | Australia | Headingley |
| Brian Lara (WI) | 108 | 05/01/1997 | Australia | Brisbane Cricket Ground |
| William Porterfield (IRE) | 109 | 13/01/2018 | United Arab Emirates | ICC Global Cricket Academy |
| Saeed Anwar (PAK) | 111 | 10/11/1996 | New Zealand | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| AB de Villiers (SA) | 111 | 24/02/2011 | West Indies | Arun Jaitley Stadium |
| Steve Smith (AUS) | 111 | 27/11/2020 | India | Sydney Cricket Ground |
| Upul Tharanga (SL) | 112 | 10/03/2011 | Zimbabwe | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium |
| Chris Gayle (WI) | 113 | 11/05/2005 | South Africa | Kensington Oval |
| Kane Williamson (NZ) | 113 | 06/01/2018 | Pakistan | Basin Reserve |
| Andrew Balbirnie (IRE) | 113 | 12/08/2026 | Afghanistan | Civil Service Cricket Club |
| Paul Stirling (IRE) | 118 | 08/01/2021 | United Arab Emirates | Sheikh Zayed Stadium |
Fastest to Every 5X ODI Centuries
Key Insights on Fastest Batsmen to 10 ODI Centuries
Record Holders for Fewest Innings to 10 ODI Tons
Quinton de Kock holds the record for taking the fewest innings to score 10 ODI centuries, achieving the milestone in just 55 knocks for South Africa.
Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman reached his 10th ODI century in 67 innings, placing him among the fastest.
Virat Kohli took 80 innings to score his 10th ODI ton back in 2012.
Of the 62 batters in ODI cricket to have scored 10 or more centuries, Pakistan’s Inzamam ul Haq has taken the most innings to achieve the milestone (291 innings).
Geographic and Select Player Representation in the Elite List
The elite list of players who took 100 innings or less to register their 10 ODI centuries features 14 players in total.
The countries of South Africa, India, Pakistan, and England each have two batters who feature in this elite list.
Australia is represented by Aaron Finch, while Shai Hope from the West Indies is the other player on the list, alongside those already mentioned.
Apart from the top batters on the core list, other players who achieved the feat in 100 innings or less include David Warner (85), Calum MacLeod (86), Jason Roy (96), and Gordon Greenidge (99).
Individual Performance and Overall Century Records
Virat Kohli is the first player to achieve a tally of 50 centuries in 50-over cricket, a landmark he reached in his 279th innings.
Quinton de Kock has registered 22 ODI tons in total, including 4 in the ICC World Cup 2023.
Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman is the only player on the list of fastest to 10 ODI centuries to have scored an ODI double ton.
