- Double Century in ODIs: India’s Sachin Tendulkar is the first batsman to score a double century in the history of ODI cricket. He played an unbeaten innings of 200 runs against South Africa in 2010.
Source : Social Media
Most runs in an innings in ODIs:
ODI cricket started in 1971. Since then, a total of 12 double centuries have been scored in this format. The surprising thing is that out of these, Indian captain Rohit Sharma has scored a double century thrice. At the same time, the record of scoring the first century in ODIs is also in the name of former Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin Tendulkar, famous as the ‘God of Cricket’, made this record against South Africa in 2010.
1- Rohit Sharma- Indian captain Rohit Sharma also holds the record for scoring the most runs in ODIs. Rohit made a world record by scoring 264 runs against Sri Lanka in 2014.
2- Martin Guptill- Former New Zealand opener Martin Guptill has also scored a double century in ODIs. Guptill played an unbeaten innings of 237 runs against West Indies in the 2015 ODI World Cup.
3- Virender Sehwag- Virender Sehwag, India’s most explosive opener, achieved this feat in 2011. Sehwag became the second batsman to score a double century in ODIs. Sehwag played an innings of 219 runs against West Indies.
4- Chris Gayle- In 2015, West Indies’ legendary opener Chris Gayle played an innings of 215 runs. This was the first time a non-Indian scored a double century in One Day.
5- Fakhar Zaman- Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has also scored a double century in ODI cricket. Zaman did this feat against Zimbabwe in 2018. Apart from Fakhar, no other Pakistani has scored a double century in ODI.
6- Pathum Nissanka- Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka played an unbeaten innings of 210 runs against Afghanistan this year i.e. in 2024. He is the only Sri Lankan batsman to score a double century in ODIs.
7- Ishan Kishan- Young wicketkeeper batsman Ishan Kishan has also scored a double century in ODIs. Ishan played an innings of 210 runs against Bangladesh in 2022.
8- Rohit Sharma- In 2013, Rohit Sharma also scored a double century against Australia. Then Hitman played an innings of 209 runs.
9- Rohit Sharma- In 2017, Rohit again scored a double century against Sri Lanka. This time Rohit played an unbeaten innings of 208 runs.
10- Shubhaman Gill- Indian team’s vice-captain Shubhaman Gill scored a double century last year in 2023. Gill played an innings of 208 runs against New Zealand.
11- Glenn Maxwell- When Australia’s explosive batsman Glenn Maxwell scored a double century in ODI, everyone was surprised. Actually, Maxwell scored a double century in the second innings. In the 2023 World Cup against Afghanistan, Maxwell scored a match-winning innings of 201 runs.
12- Sachin Tendulkar- Sachin Tendulkar, famously known as the ‘God of Cricket’, scored a double century against South Africa in 2010. He is the first batsman in the world to score a double century in ODIs.
Scoring a double century in One Day Internationals (ODIs) is a monumental achievement, a feat accomplished by only a select few in the history of cricket. As of now, there have been 12 double centuries scored in ODIs, and remarkably, one Indian cricketer has achieved this milestone three times—a record unmatched by any other player. Surprisingly, despite his legendary status and countless records, Virat Kohli’s name does not feature on this illustrious list. Let’s delve into the story behind these incredible achievements and the cricketer who has made double centuries his own.
The Origin of ODI Double Centuries
Before diving into the cricketer who has made triple history, it’s essential to understand the magnitude of scoring 200 runs in an ODI. The first-ever ODI double century was scored by none other than Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar. On February 24, 2010, Tendulkar made history against South Africa in Gwalior, setting the stage for a new era in ODI cricket. His unbeaten 200 was a turning point, showing the world that even in the limited 50-over format, such a colossal score was possible.
Since then, the floodgates have opened, and 11 more double centuries have been scored, with Indian batsmen dominating the list. The ability to score 200 runs in an ODI requires a rare combination of skill, stamina, and mental fortitude, making it one of the most cherished records in cricket.
The Indian Maestro with Three Double Centuries
The cricketer who stands head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to ODI double centuries is Rohit Sharma. Known for his effortless batting style and ability to accelerate the scoring rate, Rohit has etched his name in the history books by scoring three double centuries in ODIs—a record no other cricketer has even come close to matching.
- First Double Century – 209 vs Australia (2013): Rohit Sharma’s first double century came on November 2, 2013, against Australia in Bangalore. His explosive knock of 209 off 158 balls was laced with 12 fours and 16 sixes, setting the tone for what would become a hallmark of his ODI career—an ability to score big when it matters most.
- Second Double Century – 264 vs Sri Lanka (2014): If the first was remarkable, the second was historic. On November 13, 2014, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Rohit shattered records with an unbelievable 264 against Sri Lanka. This innings remains the highest individual score in ODI history. His innings included 33 fours and 9 sixes, a display of his prowess in building and finishing innings.
- Third Double Century – 208 vs Sri Lanka (2017):* Rohit’s third double century came on December 13, 2017, once again against Sri Lanka, this time in Mohali. His unbeaten 208 off 153 balls included 13 fours and 12 sixes, highlighting his consistency and ability to score big in limited-overs cricket.
Virat Kohli: The Surprising Omission
Despite being one of the greatest ODI batsmen of all time, Virat Kohli has never crossed the 200-run mark in ODIs. Known for his incredible consistency, Kohli has an enviable record of centuries and is the fastest to reach multiple milestones in ODI cricket. However, the double century remains elusive.
Kohli’s game is built around precision, running between the wickets, and building innings with minimal risk, which is perhaps why he hasn’t yet reached a double century. His style is more about anchoring the innings and guiding the team to victory, rather than going for big individual scores. Nevertheless, Kohli’s contributions to Indian cricket are unparalleled, and his name continues to be synonymous with ODI greatness.
Other Double Century Makers
While Rohit Sharma’s three double centuries stand out, other cricketers have also achieved this incredible feat. Apart from Sachin Tendulkar, the list includes:
- Virender Sehwag: 219 vs West Indies (2011)
- Chris Gayle: 215 vs Zimbabwe (2015)
- Martin Guptill: 237* vs West Indies (2015)
- Fakhar Zaman: 210* vs Zimbabwe (2018)
- Ishan Kishan: 210 vs Bangladesh (2022)
- Shubman Gill: 208 vs New Zealand (2023)
- Travis Head: 214 vs Pakistan (2024)
These players have all entered the record books with their breathtaking performances, each double century adding a new chapter to ODI cricket’s rich history.
Conclusion
The feat of scoring a double century in ODIs is one of cricket’s most extraordinary achievements, reserved for the game’s most explosive and talented players. Rohit Sharma’s three double centuries stand as a testament to his unparalleled ability to dominate in the 50-over format.
While Virat Kohli may not feature in this exclusive club, his contributions to Indian cricket remain legendary. As the game continues to evolve, fans eagerly await whether Kohli will someday add a double century to his illustrious career or if new players will join this remarkable list. Until then, the records set by those who have already achieved this milestone continue to inspire cricketers around the world.