Top 5 Batters With Most Consecutive Centuries In ODI World Cup Matches

Quinton de Kock celebrating one of his four 2023 World Cup centuries (AP)

Amidst the grand setting of ICC ODI World Cup matches, players can immortalize themselves by delivering performances that resonate through the ages. The multi-nation cricketing carnival, with its unmatched prestige and fervent fanfare, already serves as the ultimate stage where elite talents can etch their names in the rich scriptures of the sport’s folklore.

For batters to maintain consistency in such an environment, where nations’ hopes and aspirations converge, is a herculean task. To rack up centuries, match after match, in the unforgiving gauntlet of World Cup pressure is akin to a symphony of skill, nerve, and resilience.

Celebrating the remarkable consistency and unshakeable resolve from some extraordinary talents, here at OneCricket, we look at five such batsmen who have strung together centuries in most consecutive World Cup encounters.

Batters With Most Successive ODI World Cup Centuries:

1. Kumar Sangakkara - 4 centuries in 2015 World Cup

Kumar Sangakkara celebrating his World Cup 2015 century against Australia (x.com)

Sri Lankan veteran Kumar Sangakkara re-defined the art of World Cup consistency by making four consecutive centuries in four matches of the 2015 edition in Australia and New Zealand. His historic run-fest also marked the first and only instance of any batter across ODI’s rich history to list four centuries in a row.

Sangakkara launched his streak with a 76-ball 105* against Bangladesh before punishing the Englishmen with yet another unbeaten 117 from just 86 balls. The elegant left-hander also punched out 104 against Australia, and a 95-ball 124 against Scotland to conclude his historic milestone.

Amassing 450 runs in a space of four innings, and finishing the competition with 541 runs, the 2015 World Cup also marked the final set of international fixtures for the Sri Lankan legend, thus indicating that the batting veteran retired at the zenith of his cricketing prowess.

2. Rohit Sharma - 3 centuries in 2019 World Cup

Rohit Sharma during his run-scoring spree in 2019 World Cup (x.com)

After pounding South Africa and Pakistan with match-winning hundreds during the earlier stages of India’s World Cup 2019 crusade, opening batsman Rohit Sharma whacked three successive tons during the backend of the tournament. While his 102-run knock against hosts England in Birmingham was tendered in vain, his identical centuries in the subsequent two fixtures against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka turned out to be match-winning ones for the Indian team.

In all, Sharma finished the 2019 World Cup with five centuries to his name, and found himself at the top of the run-scoring pile with 648 runs at an average of 81.

3. AB de Villiers - 2 centuries in 2011 World Cup

AB de Villiers in action against WI at the 2011 World Cup (x.com)

South African legend AB de Villiers plundered two majestic centuries in succession at the 2011 World Cup to consign West Indies and Netherlands to huge defeats. The Proteas batting star, turning up for his side in Delhi for their tournament opener against West Indies, listed an unbeaten 107 at near run-a-ball before overpowering Netherlands’ attack with a thunderous 98-ball 134 in the subsequent fixture.

His twin tons upfront set the tone of South Africa’s table-topping run before they were crashed out of the competition owing to a shock defeat in the quarter-finals.

4. Quinton de Kock - 2 centuries in 2023 World Cup

Quinton de Kock in action at the 2023 World Cup (AP)

Quinton de Kock entered the 2023 World Cup in India after having already set up his ODI retirement date. Playing his final set of fixtures in the tournament for his country, the elegant left-hander made them count, listing imperial match-winning centuries against Sri Lanka, Australia, Bangladesh and New Zealand in just his first seven innings of the competition.

Remarkably, the dashing opener blasted two of those in succession (against Sri Lanka and Australia) to signal South Africa’s aggressive intent. Prior to his nation’s semi-final commitment against Australia, the 31-year-old had already minted 591 runs from just nine innings at an astonishing average of 65.66.

5. Rahul Dravid - 2 centuries in 1999 World Cup

Rahul Dravid during the 1999 World Cup (x.com)

Current Indian coach and yesteryears icon, Rahul Dravid was at the peak of his ODI prowess during the 1999 World Cup in England. Often questioned for wielding lower batting strike-rates in 50-overs internationals, the cricketer shrugged off all criticisms with booming match-winning hundreds against Kenya and Sri Lanka.

Dravid hit 104* against Kenya in Bristol and sunk Sri Lanka with a 145-run counterpunch a few days later to catapult himself to the top of the run-scoring charts.

His run-scoring extravaganza featured record-shattering partnerships with Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, as Dravid cantered himself to 461 tournament runs in just eight innings at an alluring average of 65.85.

Honorable Mentions:

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