The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, cricket’s most prestigious tournament, is a spectacle that occurs once every four years, where legends are born and records are made. Over the years, players have etched their names in history with remarkable performances, and among the most celebrated feats are the centuries scored in the tournament. From explosive knocks to match-winning innings, the World Cup has seen some of the finest batting displays in cricket history. In this article, we take a look at the players who have scored the most centuries in ODI World Cup history, featuring the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and other cricketing giants who have left their mark on the grandest stage of them all. Here’s a look at the record-holders for the most number of centuries in World Cup history.
Rohit Sharma: 7 Centuries (2015-2023)
Indian captain Rohit Sharma tops this list with seven centuries to his name. He has played in three World Cups and scored all seven centuries during these tournaments. Most of his World Cup centuries were achieved in the 2019 edition, where he was in outstanding form, scoring five centuries, including three consecutive centuries. His average in World Cups stands at 60.57, the highest among all players on this list.
David Warner: 6 Centuries (2015-2023)
Australian veteran batter David Warner ranks second with six centuries. Warner's centuries are remarkable, known for his high strike rate and performance, particularly in knockout matches. He has won two World Cups and maintains an average of 56.55 with a solid strike rate. His highest score in a World Cup is 178, achieved against Afghanistan during the 2015 edition.
Sachin Tendulkar: 6 Centuries (1992-2011)
The legendary Sachin Tendulkar, the oldest player on this list, has played in World Cups over two decades and scored six centuries. He holds the record for the most runs ever scored in World Cup history, averaging 56.95. Tendulkar's illustrious World Cup journey culminated in 2011, when he won the trophy with India.
Kumar Sangakkara: 5 Centuries (2003-2015)
The only wicketkeeper-batter on this list, Kumar Sangakkara, has five centuries in World Cup history. He had only one century before the 2015 World Cup but scored four centuries during that tournament, becoming the first player to achieve more than three centuries in a single World Cup edition. This record was later surpassed by Rohit Sharma. Sangakkara's batting brilliance significantly contributed to Sri Lanka's success in that tournament.
Virat Kohli: 5 Centuries (2011-2023)
No list would be complete without modern-day run machine Virat Kohli. He has scored five centuries in World Cups, with a standout performance in the 2023 edition, where he surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI centuries. Kohli averages 59.83 in World Cups and was part of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, making his mark with a memorable century that year.
