The race to accumulate international centuries is an achievement that separates legends from greats in cricket. As formats evolve and the game intensifies, scoring centuries consistently across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is is a mark of supreme adaptability, fitness, and class. In the current cricketing era, several active batters continue to rewrite record books with their hundred-making prowess.
Top 7 active players with the highest international century count
Here is a detailed look at the seven active cricketers who have scored the most international hundreds as of July 2025, with insights on their format-wise split, milestones, and legacy in the making:
| Rank | Player | Country | Tests | ODIs | T20Is | Total 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | India | 31 | 50 | 1 | 82 |
| 2 | David Warner | Australia | 26 | 22 | 1 | 49 |
| 3 | Joe Root | England | 31 | 16 | 0 | 47 |
| 4 | Rohit Sharma | India | 12 | 31 | 5 | 48 |
| 5 | Kane Williamson | New Zealand | 32 | 15 | 0 | 47 |
| 6 | Steve Smith | Australia | 32 | 12 | 0 | 44 |
| 7 | Babar Azam | Pakistan | 10 | 19 | 3 | 32 |
1. Virat Kohli (India) – 82 centuries
- Tests: 31 centuries
- ODIs: 50 centuries (second only to Sachin Tendulkar’s 49, now surpassed)
- T20Is: 1 century
- Key highlight: First batter to breach 50 ODI tons and fastest to 70 international hundreds. Kohli’s fitness, hunger, and chase mastery keep him ahead.
2. David Warner (Australia) – 49 centuries
- Tests: 26 centuries
- ODIs: 22 centuries
- T20Is: 1 century
- Key highlight: Aggressive left-handed opener known for match-winning starts in all formats. Despite nearing retirement, his strike rate remains elite.
3. Joe Root (England) – 47 centuries
- Tests: 31 centuries
- ODIs: 16 centuries
- T20Is: None
- Key highlight: England’s modern-day Test maestro with sublime technique and consistency under all conditions, especially against spin.
4. Rohit Sharma (India) – 48 centuries
- Tests: 12 centuries
- ODIs: 31 centuries
- T20Is: 5 centuries (highest by any batter in T20Is)
- Key highlight: Only batter with three ODI double hundreds; his explosive style paired with a calm mindset has redefined opening.
5. Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – 47 centuries
- Tests: 32 centuries
- ODIs: 15 centuries
- T20Is: None
- Key highlight: Technically correct and calm, Williamson has been New Zealand’s anchor for a decade and remains consistent even amidst injury phases.
6. Steve Smith (Australia) – 44 centuries
- Tests: 32 centuries
- ODIs: 12 centuries
- T20Is: None
- Key highlight: From being labelled a leg-spinner to becoming Australia’s modern Bradman, Smith’s unorthodox technique continues to dominate.
7. Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 32 centuries
- Tests: 10 centuries
- ODIs: 19 centuries
- T20Is: 3 centuries
- Key highlight: The backbone of Pakistan’s batting across formats, Babar combines elegance with adaptability, though centuries have slightly slowed recently.
Format-wise insights
| Player | Most Test 100s | Most ODI 100s | Most T20I 100s |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 31 | 50 | 1 |
| Rohit Sharma | 12 | 31 | 5 |
| Joe Root | 31 | 16 | 0 |
| Kane Williamson | 32 | 15 | 0 |
| Steve Smith | 32 | 12 | 0 |
| David Warner | 26 | 22 | 1 |
| Babar Azam | 10 | 19 | 3 |
Why are centuries crucial in modern cricket?
- Format diversity: With shifting focus to T20 leagues, players with high international centuries showcase adaptability.
- Team impact: Centuries directly correlate with match-winning innings, especially in Tests and ODIs.
- Legacy factor: Batsmen are judged historically by their hundreds alongside averages and match impact.
Key upcoming milestones
- Virat Kohli: Targeting Ricky Ponting’s 71 centuries record already surpassed; next is Sachin Tendulkar’s 100 hundreds.
- Joe Root: Could become England’s highest ever century-maker, surpassing Alastair Cook.
- Rohit Sharma: Eyes 50 international centuries before retirement.
- Kane Williamson: Likely to break Martin Crowe’s New Zealand Test records by wide margins.
- Steve Smith: May surpass Steve Waugh’s Test centuries record for Australia.
- Babar Azam: Needs ODI hundreds to match Kohli’s chase dominance for Pakistan’s future stability.
Reactions from cricket experts
- Rahul Dravid: “Virat’s consistency over a decade in all formats is extraordinary.”
- Ricky Ponting: “Joe Root is England’s finest post-Cook era batter, and his conversion rate is commendable.”
- Wasim Akram: “Babar Azam’s elegance reminds me of Inzamam, but he must convert starts to centuries regularly.”
- Gautam Gambhir: “Rohit Sharma’s ODI hundreds define India’s modern dominance in white-ball cricket.”
Fan buzz on social media
- “Kohli is GOAT for a reason – 82 centuries and counting.”
- “Root’s consistency in Tests makes him elite.”
- “Waiting for Babar to get his 50th international ton soon!”
Final thoughts
The modern era of cricket has witnessed a unique blend of aggression, adaptability, and longevity, with players redefining batting standards in high-pressure bilateral series, ICC tournaments, and franchise cricket. While Virat Kohli remains far ahead in the century race, Root, Rohit, Smith, Warner, Williamson, and Babar continue to push boundaries, ensuring the golden age of batting is far from over.
Disclaimer
This article is based on the latest available international batting records up to July 2025. Official updates may vary as per respective cricket boards and the ICC database. Readers are advised to verify match-by-match tallies for professional or academic references.
