Yesterday, the modern day master chase Virat Kohli became the first player to score most centuries in One-day internationals while chasing surpassing Sachin Tendulkar record.
In test matches, the batsmen could play for longer durations who can tire the opposition bowlers while in ODI cricket, players have to adapt according to the situation and need to have the ability to chase down big totals.
Here are 5 players with most centuries in ODI’s while chasing.
- Virat Kohli- 18 centuries
Virat Kohli, the modern day chaser in ODI cricket comes at the top with most centuries while chasing. He made his ODI debut on 18th August 2008 against Sri Lanka. Since then he has played 189 matches scoring 8257 runs with an average of 54.68 with the best score of 183 while chasing against Pakistan. Kohli has scored 28 centuries so far in ODI cricket equalling the record of Sanath Jayasuriya’s record of 28 centuries.
The great have helped India to win 18 matches in ODI chases. Out of those 18 chases, 16 times Indian team have won matches. On 6th July, Virat Kohli scored his 28th century in ODI cricket by remaining not out on 111 while chasing 206 against West Indies at Sabina Park, Jamaica. He has taken 102 innings to reach the 18 centuries while chasing. In total, he has taken 181 innings to score 28 ODI centuries.
- Sachin Tendulkar-17 centuries
Sachin Tendulkar one of the greats of cricket is second in a list of most centuries while chasing in ODI cricket. He made his ODI debut on 18th December 1989. He opened the innings for the Indian team playing 463 ODI matches scoring 18426 runs with an average of 44.83.
His best score was 200 not out against South Africa. In total, Sachin scored 49 centuries in ODI cricket of which 17 have come in chasing. Out of those 17 chases, 14 times India has won in ODI cricket. Sachin Tendulkar has the record of scoring with most centuries in ODI cricket. He took 232 innings to reach this landmark to score 17 centuries.
- Tilkarantne Dilshan- 11 centuries
Tilkarantne Dilshan one of the best cricketers for Sri Lankan cricket occupies the third place in terms of chasing in ODI cricket. He made his ODI debut on 11th December 1999. After that, he has played 330 ODI matches scoring 10290 runs with an average of 39.27.
His best score in ODI cricket was 161 not out against Bangladesh during the 2015 World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand. In total, he scored 22 centuries in ODI cricket of which 11 have come in chasing. Out of those 11 times, 9 have comes in successful chases. His last ODI was for Sri Lanka was against Australia on 28th August 2016. He took 116 innings to create this record.
- Chris Gayle-11 centuries
Chris Gayle the most explosive batsmen in T20 cricket is at fourth place with most centuries in ODI cricket while chasing. He made his ODI debut on 11th September 1999. Since then he has played a total of 269 ODI matches scoring 9221 runs at an average of 37.33. He is one of the batsmen to score double centuries in 50 overs format with best score 215* against Zimbabwe during the 2015 World Cup.
In total, he has scored 22 centuries out of which 11 have come in chasing. Out of those 11 times, 9 times West Indies have won while chasing in ODI cricket. His last ODI for West Indies was against New Zealand in 2015. Since then the West Indies team have not selected him in ODI format due to poor form. He took 139 innings to score 11 centuries.
- Sanath Jayasuriya – 10 centuries
Sanath Jayasuriya is at the final position for batsmen to score most ODI centuries while chasing. He made his ODI debut on 26th December 1989 and has played a total of 445 matches for Sri Lanka scoring 13430 runs at an average of 32.36. His best score was 189. In total, he has scored 28 centuries. His ability to smash the bowlers made him a dangerous player. His last ODI match was against England in 2011 at Oval. Out of the 28 centuries, 10 times have come in chasing out of which 9 times have come in successful run chases. He took 210 innings to score 10 ODI centuries.
He was an aggressive left-handed batsman who could change the course of the game with his power hitting and destroy the opposition bowling.