7 famous batsmen who scored a century in their 100th ODI

Scoring a century in one-day cricket is an achievement every batsman craves for and on most occasions, guarantees the win. The game of cricket has seen some great players who performed consistently and helped the team win on a regular basis.

While scoring a century itself is an accomplishment, some batsmen have been more fortunate to score centuries on special occasions, making it more memorable. Through the course of this article, we look at seven famous batsmen who scored a century in their 100th ODI.

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#1 Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara played a fighting innings against the Aussies

Kumar Sangakkara is arguably the greatest batsman Sri Lanka has ever produced. He played in 404 matches and scored 14234 runs at an average of 41.99. This includes 25 centuries and 93 fifties. Sangakkara carried the Sri Lankan team to famous wins with his consistent performances.

Australia visited Sri Lanka for a 5-ODI series in 2004. The hosts were down 1-2 in the series after 3 ODIs and the focus shifted to Colombo for the 4th ODI. With the series on the line, Kumar Sangakkara came up alive and scored a terrific innings.

Chasing a target of 234, featuring in his 100th ODI, Sangakkara played a fighting innings and scored 101 off 110 balls, accompanied by 15 fours. Unfortunately, he did not get enough support from the rest of the crew and the visitors won the game, and clinched the series.

#2 Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle smashed a century in his 100th ODI and helped WI chase down the total

Chris Gayle is arguably one of the most dangerous batsmen to ever step on a cricket field. He is known for his ability to hit gigantic sixes and on his day, he can tear apart even the world's best bowling attacks.

In the 8th ODI of the Natwest Series in 2004, West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl first. The hosts went on to score 285-7 in 50 overs, on the back of centuries by Strauss and Flintoff. In his 100th one-day international, Chris Gayle was the pick of the bowlers with 3/57 in his allotted 10 overs.

In return, West Indies lost opener Devon Smith cheaply for just 10 runs with the scoreboard reading 15-1. Gayle then took over and added 187 runs for the second wicket with Ramnaresh Sarwan, before the latter got dismissed for 89. Gayle scored an unbeaten 132 off 165 balls with 12 fours and a six, and saw the team through.

#3 Mohammad Yousuf

Mohammad Yousuf had a game to remember against Sri Lanka

Mohammad Yousuf is one of the greatest batsmen of all-time for Pakistan. He carried the bulk of the batting load for Pakistan in the middle-order and performed consistently to help Pakistan score big. His presence gave Pakistan the much needed strength in the batting lineup.

In the finals of the Sharjah Cup against Sri Lanka in 2002, Yousuf, who was playing his 100th ODI, had a game to remember as he amassed 129 runs off 131 balls, accompanied by 8 fours and 3 sixes. He built key partnerships with Imran Nazir and Younis Khan and helped Pakistan post a very good total of 295.

In return, Sri Lanka were all-out for just 78 runs, with Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akthar each picking up 3 wickets. Mohammad Yousuf's century helped him win the Man of the Match trophy.

#4 David Warner

David Warner demolished the Indian bowlers

David Warner is known for his monster-hitting. With his power and timing, Warner can destroy even the best of the bowlers. The Australian opener is known for his ability to win games single-handedly for his country.

After struggling to perform in the first 3 ODIs of the 5-ODI series in India, Warner knew he was due for a big one and with series already lost, he expressed himself more freely and demolished the Indian bowlers. Playing his 100th ODI, Warner scored 124 off 119 balls with 12 fours and 4 sixes.

The Aussies scored 334-5 in 50 overs and India lost the game by 21 runs. Kane Richardson was the pick of the bowlers with 3/58 in 10 overs. Warner was rightly adjudged the Man of the Match.

#5 Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan is carrying India on his back and leading the team to famous wins

Shikhar Dhawan is in the form of his life when it comes to one-day cricket and is carrying India on his back and leading the team to famous wins. The 2013 ICC Champions Trophy Player of the Series was also the Player of the Series in the recently concluded Asia Cup and he looks like he is far from done.

India toured South Africa for a 6-ODI series in the beginning of 2018. After 3 ODIs, India were up 3-0 with skipper Virat Kohli in fine nick. In the forth ODI, Kohli continued his supreme form and scored 75 off 83 but it was the opener Shikhar Dhawan who caught everyone's attention with a terrific century. He scored 109 off 105 balls, accompanied by 10 fours and 2 sixes. In his 100th ODI, Dhawan registered his 13th ODI century.

India ended up scoring 289-7 in 50 overs. However, rain interrupted the game during South Africa's innings break and the target was reduced to 202 in 28 overs and the hosts went on to win the game by 5 wickets.

#6 Ramnaresh Sarwan

Ramnaresh Sarwan played innumerable crucial knocks during his long stint

Ramnaresh Sarwan strengthened the West Indies batting lineup and played innumerable crucial knocks during his long stint. He was known for his ability to bat at any position and anchor the innings.

In 2006, India visited West Indies for a 5-ODI series and after two ODIs, the series was leveled at one a piece. The focus shifted to the 3rd ODI which was also Sarwan's 100th ODI game. India won the toss and chose to bat first but only managed to score a meagre 245-9 in 50 overs.

In reply, West Indies lost two quick wickets and were reduced to 31-2. Sarwan then took over and never looked back as he built key partnerships with Gayle and Chanderpaul, enroute to a century. He remained unbeaten on 115 off 119 and the home team eked out a win with one ball remaining. Sarwan was presented the Man of the Match trophy.

West Indies went on to win the series, 4-1. Ramnaresh Sarwan was the Man of the Series for his 273 runs in 5 innings at an average of 91.00.

#7 Marcus Trescothick

Marcus Trescothick was a regular feature of the England cricket team from early to mid 2000s

Marcus Trescothick had a good start to his ODI career, scoring a half-century against Zimbabwe in the Natwest Series in 2000. He played some good match-winning knocks for England and took them to famous victories. However, after opening the innings for England for 5-6 years, he failed to deliver continuously and subsequently, got dropped from the team.

In his 100th ODI against Bangladesh, he struck a century, scoring an unbeaten 100 off 76 balls with 16 fours. Batting first, Bangladesh got bundled out for just 190 runs in 45.2 overs, thanks to Steve Harmison's 4/39 in 10 overs.

This was Trescothick's 9th century in ODIs and it came at a blistering strike-rate of 131.58. He was rightly adjudged the Man of the Match for his big knock.