4 instances of both opposition captains scoring a century in an ODI

We often speak about how important the role of a captain is in cricket. He needs to select his playing XI, make strategies and (try to) execute them, apart from taking vital decisions on the field.

But one of the most important parts of captaincy is that the burden of leading the side should not affect the captain's performance with the bat or ball. Thus, we are hearing a lot of modern-day captains speak about leading from the front and setting an example for the rest of the team.

However, there have hardly been instances where both captains have scored a century in the same game, especially in ODI cricket. Hence, here we look back at the four instances of both captains scoring a hundred in an ODI.

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#4 William Porterfield (112) and Eoin Morgan (124*) – Dublin, September 2013

In 2013, after a heart-breaking loss to India in the Champions Trophy final, England retained the Ashes as they won 3-0. After the Ashes and before the ODI series against Australia, they squared off against neighbours Ireland in a one-off ODI in Dublin. Post the 2011 World Cup, Ireland had played only 7 ODIs against Test-playing nations in which 3 of them were washed out.

In the one-off ODI, England won the toss and inserted Ireland into bat first. Former Ireland player Boyd Rankin, who was making his ODI debut for England, took a couple of quick wickets in the powerplay to leave Ireland at 36/2.

But Ireland skipper William Porterfield played a patient knock. Even though wickets kept falling at regular intervals, it didn’t affect Porterfield’s concentration. He struck a superb 112 (his 6th ODI ton) as he helped Ireland post a competitive total of 269.

Chasing 270, England were in trouble at 25/3 when skipper Eoin Morgan strode out to the centre. He changed the momentum of the innings completely and put the pressure back on Ireland with a brilliant unbeaten 124. He struck 8 fours and 4 sixes as he, along with Ravi Bopara (101), helped England chase down the total in 43 overs.

It was the first time in the history of ODI cricket that captains from both sides had scored a ton.

#3 Mushfiqur Rahim (117) and Virat Kohli (136) - Fatullah, February 2014 (Asia Cup)

Virat Kohli's 136 overshadowed Mushfiqur Rahim's 117

Just before the 2014 Asia Cup started, India were dealt with a big blow as MS Dhoni was ruled out with a side-strain. Virat Kohli was named the captain.

In the second game of the Asia Cup, hosts Bangladesh were up against India whose middle-order looked a little weak as it was without the services of MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina for the first time since 2004.

India won the toss and opted to field first. Bangladesh lost a couple of early wickets but skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and Anamul Haque stitched a superb 133-run stand for the third wicket to set a good platform. However, Anamul couldn’t convert his start as he fell for 77. But skipper Rahim went on to make a brilliant 117 (in 113 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes) as he helped the hosts post a very good score of 279.

In reply, India got off to a good start as the openers added 50 for the first wicket. A couple of quick wickets put the Men in Blue under a little bit of pressure. But Virat Kohli, who had built a reputation of a chase master, arrived at the crease. He slowly shifted the pressure back on the Bangladesh bowlers and scored a stupendous 136 as he helped India overhaul Bangladesh’s total. It was his 19th ODI ton and 13th in a run-chase.

It was only the second instance of both captains scoring tons in the same ODI.

#2 Angelo Mathews (139*) and Virat Kohli (139*) - Ranchi, November 2014

Both Virat Kohli and Angelo Mathews ended with similar scores - 139 not out

After West Indies abandoned their tour mid-way through, Sri Lanka came to India for a 5-match ODI series. With a big Australia tour looming, MS Dhoni was rested for the series. Virat Kohli was once again the stand-in skipper.

Going into the 5th ODI, Sri Lanka who were 4-0 down, elected to bat first but they were soon reduced to 85/4. Angelo Mathews who walked in at No. 5 controlled the innings beautifully and struck his maiden ODI ton as he drove Sri Lanka to a total of 286. His unbeaten innings of 139 consisted of 6 fours and 10 sixes.

In reply, India were in big trouble at 14/2. But Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 139 single-handedly helped India chase 287. It was his 21st ODI ton and 4th as a captain. His knock helped India win the fifth game and whitewash Sir Lanka 5-0.

Both captains finished with identical scores (139 not out), most number of runs scored by the captains combined in an ODI.

#1 Faf du Plessis (120) and Virat Kohli (112) - Durban, February 2018

Both Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli batted at No. 3 and scored brilliant tons

India’s much-awaited tour to South Africa began with a couple of disappointing losses for in the first two Tests. However, they came storming back to win the third Test in Johannesburg. A six-match ODI series followed the Test series.

In the first game of the ODI series, South Africa won the toss and batted first. The Proteas batting line-up failed to counter the spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep as they shared 5 wickets between them to put the hosts under pressure. However, there was one batsman that coped with all the pressure and took South Africa to a competitive total. That batsman was skipper Faf du Plessis.

Batting at No. 3, he scored a superb 112-ball 120 which ensured the Proteas posted 269 in their 50 overs. Apart from Du Plessis, no other South African batsman could score above 40. Hence, his 120 stood out.

Chasing a competitive total, skipper Virat Kohli came into bat with the score reading 33/1. He came in and started off in his usual way. Picking gaps, running hard and pouncing on anything loose. Along with Ajinkya Rahane (who scored 79 off 86 balls), Kohli helped India chase 270 with ease. He scored a sublime 112 which was his first ODI ton in South Africa (and 33rd overall).

It was the fourth (and the most recent) instance of both captains scoring hundreds in the same ODI game.