4 instances when captains of both teams scored centuries in the same ODI

The origin of cricket is still a mystery but there are historical references to prove that the sport was being played in south-east England in the middle of the 16th century.

In the 19th century, the British Empire was instrumental in spreading the game overseas to Australia, the Caribbean, India, New Zealand and North America.

To make the sport more result oriented, English Counties introduced the concept of limited-overs cricket in 1963, consequently, the first ODI was played between England and Australia on 5 January 1971 at Melbourne.

Since then, numerous records were created and shattered but it took 42 years for the world to witness a 50-over game where captains of both teams scored centuries.

Now, let's have a look at those four instances when skippers from both teams led from the front and scored tons in the same ODI.

Interestingly, run machine Virat Kohli was one of the century making captains on three out of the four occasions.

#4 William Porterfield (112) and Eoin Morgan (124*), Dublin, September 3, 2013

On England's 2013 tour of Ireland, the two teams played a one-off ODI at Malahide, Dublin. The visiting skipper Eoin Morgan won the toss and invited the hosts to bat first.

Ireland captain William Porterfield (112) recorded his 6th ODI ton as the hosts posted 269/7, reaching three figures by hitting his former national teammate Boyd Rankin over mid-wicket for a six.

In response, England suffered a top order collapse as Tim Murtagh reduced the touring party to 48/4 in 14.5 overs.

Then, Morgan came rescue and recorded his highest ODI score of 124 not out to help his team to a six-wicket victory over his native country.

Man of the Match Morgan added 226 for the 5th wicket with Ravi Bopara (101*) as England recorded an easy win with 7 overs to spare.

It was the first time in the history of ODI cricket that captains of both the teams scored centuries in the same match.

#3 Mushfiqur Rahim (117) and Virat Kohli (136), Fatullah, February 26, 2014

In a 2014 Asia Cup encounter between India and Bangladesh at Fatullah, the visitors' skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to field first.

Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim came out to bat at a time when Bangladesh were under pressure, having lost Shamsur Rahman and Mominul Haque for just 49 runs.

After making a cautious start Rahim (117) soon found his rhythm and made a bold statement with the bat to complete his 2nd ODI hundred as the hosts posted a target of 280.

In response, India were reduced to 54/2 in 12.5 overs, and that is when their stand-in skipper stood out with a 122-ball 136.

Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane (73) added 213 runs in 32.5 overs for the 3rd wicket to ensure India's win.

It was Kohli's 12th ton in a successful run chase and 19th overall in ODIs as India beat Bangladesh by 6 wickets with 6 balls remaining.

Interestingly, it was only the 2nd time in ODIs that both captains scored centuries in the same match.

#2 Virat Kohli (139*) and Angelo Mathews (139*), Ranchi, November 16, 2014

In the 5th ODI of Sri Lanka's 2014 tour of India, Angelo Mathews won the toss and elected to bat first in Ranchi.

The visitors’ innings was primarily driven by Mathews (139*), who struck his maiden ODI ton to steer Sri Lanka to 286/8 in 50 overs.

In response, India lost both their openers, Ajinkya Rahane (2) and Rohit Sharma (9) cheaply, before Ambati Rayudu (59) and Virat Kohli brought up a crucial 136-run stand.

India kept on losing wickets at regular intervals but the stand-in skipper Kohli smashed an unbeaten 139 and pulled-off a 3-wicket win with 8 balls to spare.

With that win, India completed a 5-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka in the ODI series.

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

The first match of the ongoing 6-match ODI series between India and South Africa witnessed the latest instance of both skippers getting tons in the same ODI.

Faf du Plessis won the toss and opted to bat first in Durban. Jasprit Bumrah trapped Hashim Amla in front of the wickets early before Quinton de Kock was sent packing by Yuzvendra Chahal.

Soon, South Africa were in trouble as they were reduced to 134/5 in the 28th over but Du Plessis' (120) sublime hundred and Andile Phehlukwayo's late flourish dragged the hosts to 269 in 50 overs.

Chasing 270 to win, India lost openers, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, early and the onus was then on Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli to build a partnership and win the game for the touring party.

The duo brought up a stand of 189 runs, second highest by an Indian pair in South Africa against South Africa in ODIs, to orchestrate the visitors' fightback.

While Rahane scored 79 off 86, Kohli brought up his 33rd ODI ton as India chased down 270 in 45.3 overs, to beat South Africa by 6 wickets.

Virat Kohli & Co. also ended the Proteas' 17-game winning streak at home and went 1-0 up in the ODI series.