10 cricketers with most consecutive ODI centuries

The growth of cricket was witnessed during the late 1970s when Kerry Packer (a media tycoon) came up with World Series Cricket. White ball, coloured outfits and floodlights were some of the features of this event.

If Test cricket evaluates the talent and grit of a cricketer, the ODI format assesses the batsman's hard-hitting ability and pressure handling. For example, Virat Kohli - the chase master, has become what he is now because of his exploits in the ODI format which has spread across Test and T20 formats too.

Rarely do the fans witness a cricketer scoring three consecutive centuries in ODI cricket. However, the history of ODI cricket is filled with instances where a batsman has managed to do the same. Kumar Sangakkara tops the list with four consecutive centuries. He achieved the feat in the 2015 edition of the Cricket World Cup.

Let us have a look at those remarkable cricketers who have scored most consecutive hundreds in ODI cricket:

(Note: A minimum of three consecutive ODI centuries has been taken into account)

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#10: AB De Villiers (Aggregate: 318 runs)

Termed as the 'super-human' in World cricket, AB de Villiers became part of this elite list in 2010.

Playing against India in a 3-match ODI series, ABD notched up first of hat-trick centuries (114* off 101 balls) in the second ODI which was overshadowed by Tendulkar's epic first ODI double hundred.

In the third ODI of the series, he scored a 59-ball 102* while batting first to propel South Africa to 365 and gain a 90-run consolation victory. Two months later, he completed a hat-trick of centuries while playing in the first ODI against Windies (102 off 101 balls) in a 5-match ODI series.

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#9: Ross Taylor (Aggregate: 319 runs)

Ross Taylor was in imperious form during the 5-match ODI series against India in January 2014.

Though he missed out on centuries in first 3 ODIs with two 50+ scores, he latched onto the opportunity and scored back-to-back 100s (4th and 5th ODI) against a fatigued Indian attack to clinch the series 4-0.

After those two epic centuries, Taylor had to wait until December to score his hat-trick hundred against Pakistan in Dubai. Though it was a delightful moment achieving a personal milestone, his knock went in vain as Pakistan won the match by three wickets in a riveting chase.

#8: Zaheer Abbas (Aggregate: 336 runs)

The legendary right-handed batsman from Pakistan is the first cricketer to achieve this rare feat in ODIs.

Playing against India at home, Zaheer bludgeoned the Indian attack with his versatile stroke-play. Being 0-1 down after a defeat in the first ODI, Zaheer single-handedly blunted the Indian bowlers with three consecutive ODI centuries and helped Pakistan to seal the series 3-1.

Zaheer is also the first cricketer to score hat-trick centuries against the same opposition.

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#7: Quinton De Kock (Aggregate: 342 runs)

The left-handed wicket-keeper batsman's elegance and flamboyance were visible during the 3-match ODI series against India in 2013.

South Africa completely dominated the Indian side, courtesy De Kock's classic (hat-trick centuries) which guided them to a 2-0 win. Although just a 20-year old, De Kock smashed the Indian bowlers to every part of the ground and announced his arrival in world cricket.

Unfortunately, the third ODI was abandoned due to rain, saving India from a whitewash at the hands of South Africa.

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#6: Jonny Bairstow (Aggregate: 347 runs)

Jonny Bairstow's promotion as an opening batsman has reaped immense rewards for England.

In 2018, Bairstow has racked up 1025 runs at an average of 46.59 with 4 remarkable centuries. His twin centuries against New Zealand in the 4th and 5th ODI assisted England in an overseas series victory (3-2).

Bairstow became the fourth international wicket-keeper batsman to achieve this feat when he scored 105 off 59 balls against Scotland. His knock went in vain as Scotland registered their first ever victory against England in a nail-biting match.

#5: Saeed Anwar (Aggregate: 349 runs)

The Pakistani left-hander was one of the best batsmen in the world during the 90s.

Saeed Anwar became the second cricketer to score a hat-trick centuries during the Pepsi Champions Trophy, 1993/94. Within a span of four days, he scored 3 breath-taking hundreds against Sri Lanka and Windies.

Though Anwar was in excellent touch during the tournament, he failed to score in the final match and therefore Pakistan lost in the final against Windies.

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#4: Babar Azam (Aggregate: 360 runs)

Babar Azam is considered as the next big thing in Pakistan cricket. The stylish right-handed batsman's addition to the team has stabilized their shaky middle order.

During the 3-match ODI series against Windies in 2016, Babar scored staggering hat-trick centuries. His contribution propelled Pakistan to whitewash the Windies and clinch the series 3-0. Babar is the third Pakistani to achieve this rare feat in ODIs.

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#3: Herschelle Gibbs (Aggregate: 385 runs)

Herschelle Gibbs is considered to be one of the best opening batsmen to have played ODI cricket. His flamboyant stroke-play used to mesmerizes everyone. He is fondly remembered for his scintillating 175 against Australia during a world record chase.

Gibbs was in amazing form during the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka. Though he scored twin centuries (Kenya and India) in the tournament, South Africa couldn't go past India in the semi-final and continued their tag as 'Chokers' in ICC tournaments.

With a ton in first ODI against Bangladesh in a series after Champions Trophy, he became the only player to score hat-trick centuries with a hundred against 3 different countries.

#2: Virat Kohli (Aggregate: 404 runs)

Whenever Kohli walks in to bat, the stats tracker get glued to their seats to follow the records broken by him- such is the calibre of the Indian captain.

In 2018, Virat Kohli has notched up 1153 runs at an unbelievable average of 144.12 with 6 centuries in just 12 matches. With hat-trick centuries against Windies in the ongoing series, he became the first Indian to achieve this rare feat in ODIs.

With 404 runs in 3 matches, Virat also broke the record of the most number runs in three consecutive matches.

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#1: Kumar Sangakkara (4 centuries in 4 matches)

Kumar Sangakkara is the only Sri Lankan player to feature in this elite list. The legendary wicket-keeper is also considered one of the greatest cricketers of all time.

During the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, Sanga was in tremendous form and scored four back-to-back centuries. He scored hundreds against Bangladesh, England, Australia and Scotland respectively. Unfortunately, even after such a superman effort from one of their players, Sri Lanka crashed out of the World Cup in Quarter Final.

With 541 runs in just 7 matches at a staggering average of 108.20, Sanga ended his career on a high note.