In the world of international cricket, milestones define greatness, and centuries are the ultimate benchmark for batsmen. England's batting maestro Joe Root has once again proved his mettle by scoring a magnificent century against Sri Lanka in the ODI held at Colombo. This latest hundred has sparked a fresh debate about the all-time greats and where Root currently stands in the pantheon of legendary run-scorers.
Sachin Tendulkar: The Undisputed King of Centuries
The list of most international centuries is topped by none other than the 'God of Cricket', Sachin Tendulkar. Over a career spanning 24 years, Tendulkar played 664 international matches and scored a staggering 100 centuries (51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs). Along with these hundreds, he also registered 164 half-centuries. Interestingly, despite his dominance, he was dismissed for a duck 34 times. His record of 100 centuries remains a mountain that seems nearly impossible for any modern-day cricketer to scale.
Virat Kohli: The Modern Era Titan
Occupying the second spot is Virat Kohli, who is widely regarded as the best batsman of the current generation. Kohli has amassed 85 international centuries in 559 matches so far. He's currently 15 centuries away from equaling Sachin's monumental record. Given his focus on fitness and his current schedule, Kohli remains the strongest contender. To challenge the top spot, provided he maintains his form for the next few years. Kohli has also recorded 146 fifties and has been out for a duck 40 times in his career.
The Legacy of Ricky Ponting and Kumar Sangakkara
Australian legend Ricky Ponting sits at the third position with 71 international centuries in 560 matches. Ponting, who retired in 2012, was known for his aggressive batting and exceptional leadership, while he also has 146 half-centuries to his name. Following him is Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, who scored 63 centuries in 594 matches, while sangakkara's elegance and consistency made him one of the most feared left-handers in the history of the game before his retirement in 2015.
Jacques Kallis and Joe Root's Rising Stature
South African legend Jacques Kallis, often called the greatest all-rounder to ever play the game, holds the fifth spot with 62 centuries in 519 matches. Now, all eyes are on Joe Root, who has reached 61 international centuries in just 384 matches. Root has been in the form of his life, particularly in the longer formats, while with 116 half-centuries and only 26 ducks, Root's conversion rate and consistency are exemplary. He's currently active in both Tests and ODIs, giving him a significant advantage to climb further up this list.
Can Joe Root Break into the Top 3?
Given Joe Root's current trajectory, it's highly likely that he will surpass Jacques Kallis and Kumar Sangakkara in the near future, while while reaching Ricky Ponting's 71 centuries will require sustained excellence over the next few seasons, Root's hunger for runs suggests he's far from finished. As he continues to anchor the England batting lineup, the cricketing world watches with bated breath. To see how many more records this modern-day great will shatter before he hangs up his boots.