Until Kapil Dev smashed the Zimbabwean bowlers to all parts during India’s group stage game in the 1983 World Cup, an ODI double-century wasn’t particularly considered a possibility. The first double century in ODI cricket was scored by Australian women cricketer Belinda Clarke in 1997 before Sachin Tendulkar repeated the feat in men’s cricket in 2010. The fastest ODI double century, however, is scored by Ishan Kishan.
Over the years, some of the game’s finest names got very close to achieving that landmark. Sir Vivian Richards’ 181 in the 1987 World Cup against Sri Lanka, Gary Kirsten‘s splendid onslaught against UAE in the 1996 World Cup and the most famous of all, Saeed Anwar’s 194 against India in Chennai, the first-ever 190+ score registered in 50-overs cricket.
Herschelle Gibbs could’ve taken a nap and walked his way towards a double hundred when he got to 175 against Australia in that famous game at the Wanderers, where he was dismissed with closely 19 overs remaining. MS Dhoni, Sanath Jayasuriya, Sourav Ganguly, Matthew Hayden – all came close, but the double ton remained elusive and uncatchable.
Something very special was required for this landmark to be achieved, and it came from the bat of the Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar on 24th February 2010 against South Africa, a day when the entire nation paused briefly for a bilateral game in Gwalior, as the master blaster tapped it towards point and became the first-ever cricketer to score 200 runs in an individual ODI inning.
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Even after the deadlock was broken in 2010, we have seen only 7 other instances where a batter breached this number.
Double century in ODI: Top 10 list
S. NO |
Player | Runs | Balls | Opposition | Venue | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Belinda Clarke (Australia-W) | 229 | 155 | Denmark-W | Mumbai | 16 Dec 1997 |
| 2. | Sachin Tendulkar (India) | 200* | 147 | South Africa | Gwalior | 24 Feb 2010 |
| 3. | Virender Sehwag (India) | 219 | 149 | West Indies | Indore | 8 Dec 2011 |
| 4. | Rohit Sharma (India) | 209 | 158 | Australia | Bengaluru | 2 Nov 2013 |
| 5. | Rohit Sharma (India) | 264 | 173 | Sri Lanka | Kolkata | 13 Nov 2014 |
| 6. | Chris Gayle (West Indies) | 215 | 147 | Zimbabwe | Canberra | 24 Feb 2015 |
| 7. | Martin Guptill(New Zealand) | 237* | 163 | West Indies | Wellington | 21 Mar 2015 |
| 8. | Rohit Sharma(India) | 208* | 153 | Sri Lanka | Mohali | 13 Dec 2017 |
| 9. | Amelia Kerr (New Zealand) | 232* | 145 | Ireland-W | Dublin | 13 Jun 2018 |
| 10. | Fakhar Zaman(Pakistan) | 210* | 156 | v Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 20 Jul 2018 |
Rohit Sharma: Three-time double-centurion in ODI cricket
Rohit Sharma’s tryst with double-centuries in ODI cricket is a different story altogether. There isn’t one batter in the cricketing world right now, who makes the watching world go “Time for a double” the moment he gets to a century. The Indian hitman is known for his extravagant acceleration after getting to three figures, and we have seen three instances where he managed to get a doubleton, making him the only man to do it twice or more.
His first duplex century in ODIs came against Australia at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Batting first in the series decider, India got off to a decent start but needed a big total to challenge the visitors. This is when Rohit Sharma got to his century in the 38th over, and got to his next century in just 42 balls. He is also the only cricketer among these men to have reached the 200-mark with a six.
In just under a year’s time after that, in November 2014, Rohit became the first cricketer to score two double centuries in ODIs, this time blasting a world-record 264 against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. He hit 33 fours during this onslaught, registering the record for most fours in an innings. It was just the second instance of a batter surpassing 250 in List A cricket (D’Arcy Short became the third in 2018).
Much to the surprise of those watching, Rohit Sharma added a third double century in 2017 against Sri Lanka, which also made him the only player to score two double centuries against the same team. He mustered 208 runs in 153 balls in Mohali, helping his side win the game by 141 runs.
Martin Guptill | 237* vs West Indies
The 2015 World Cup witnessed two double-centuries and the West Indies were involved in both these instances. While they were clapping and smiling from their dressing room during one instance, they were hopelessly watching and chasing the ball the second time. Martin Guptill’s 237 during the quarter-finals of that World Cup is the only double-ton recorded during an ICC knockout fixture.
The swashbuckling New Zealand opener hit 24 fours and 11 sixes on his way to an unforgettable 237 off 149 balls. It is the second-highest individual score in ODI history.
Virender Sehwag | 219 vs West Indies
There were a few occasions prior to this one where Virender Sehwag nearly got to a double ton, but fell short. He finally got there against the West Indies in 2011, shortly after India’s World Cup triumph, thus becoming the second batter among men to register an ODI double.
He hit 219 off 149 balls, hitting 25 fours and 5 sixes. He briefly set the record for the highest individual score in ODIs, a record later surpassed by Rohit Sharma during his 264 against Sri Lanka.
Chris Gayle | 215 vs Zimbabwe
The universe boss was always going to be present in a list like this. Chris Gayle, during the 2016 World Cup group stage game against Zimbabwe, became the first non-Indian to register an ODI double ton. He scored 215 runs off 147 deliveries, smashing 16 sixes and 10 fours.
Fakhar Zaman | 210 vs Zimbabwe
Saeed Anwar narrowly missed out on scoring the first ODI century not just for Pakistan, but also in Men’s ODI history. Nearly 2 decades down the line, Fakhar Zaman ensured he got there against Zimbabwe, scoring 210 runs off 156 balls, which included 24 fours and 5 sixes.
Interestingly, he came close to becoming the second cricketer to score two double centuries but was dismissed for 193 against South Africa.
Sachin Tendulkar | 200 vs South Africa
The first man in ODI history to score a double century, Sachin Tendulkar smashed an unforgettable ODI double against South Africa in Gwalior. After Belinda Clarke, he became the second international cricketer to achieve the landmark. He got there in just 147 deliveries, which included 25 fours and 3 sixes.
Tendulkar had a minor scare when MS Dhoni was all over the bowlers in the final few overs, but he eventually got there in the final over.
Fastest double century in ODI: Full list
| Rank | Batsman | Balls taken to score double ton | Match |
| 1 | Ishan Kishan | 126 | India v Bangladesh |
| 2 | Chris Gayle | 138 | West Indies v Zimbabwe |
| 3 | Virender Sehwag | 140 | India v West Indies |
| 4 | Sachin Tendulkar | 147 | India v South Africa |
| 5 | Fakhar Zaman | 148 | Pakistan v Zimbabwe |
| 6 | Rohit Sharma | 151 | India v Sri Lanka |
| 7 | Rohit Sharma | 151 | India v Sri Lanka |
| 8 | Martin Guptill | 153 | New Zealand v West Indies |
| 9 | Rohit Sharma | 156 | India v Australia |
Double Century in ODI: Women’s Cricket
Belinda Clarke: first double centurion in women’s cricket
A stat not many are aware of, but Belinda Clark was the first international cricketer to score a double century in ODI cricket. Often regarded as one of the finest batters of all time, she was in splendid form during the 1997 World Cup, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer in that tournament. She helped Australia win the crown.
She also recorded herself in history books for eternity, when she got to the 200-mark against Denmark. She finished with 229 off 155 balls, which remained the highest individual score in ODIs until Rohit Sharma got to his 264. Currently, this is the 4th highest individual score in ODI cricket.
Amelia Kerr, the young women cricketer to hit a double ton
Among women, the only other double centurion is New Zealand superstar Amelia Kerr, who achieved an insurmountable distinction of a duplex century and 5-wicket haul in the same game against Ireland in Dublin. With a boundary off the last ball of the innings, she surpassed Clark’s record of 229 and finished with 232 runs off 145 balls.
Amelia Kerr got to her double in just 134 balls, which is the fastest in ODI cricket overall. Among men, Gayle holds the same record, having gotten there in 138 deliveries.
FAQs
Which batter has scored the 1st double century in ODI?
Former Australian captain Belinda Clark scored the first double century in ODI cricket among women, whilst Sachin Tendulkar was the first among men to do the same.
Which batter has scored the fastest double century in ODI?
Among the 10 double centuries scored in ODI cricket, Amelia Kerr holds the record for the fastest double century, having reached the landmark in 134 deliveries. Among men, Chris Gayle holds the record for the same, having reached the number in 138 balls.
Which batter has the most centuries in ODI?
Rohit Sharma has the most ODI double centuries and is the only cricketer to have three double tons to his name.
Which player. has scored the first double century in ODI for India?
Sachin Tendulkar scored the first double century in ODIs for India.
