Scoring hundreds at the international level is one of the tougher jobs in cricket. It is not a mere test of skill and technique but even puts a batsman’s temperament and concentration to test. As a reason, a batsman who tends to score hundreds while chasing is lauded even more for his efforts. Not every player can score centuries under pressure while chasing a target in ODI cricket. However, there have been some players who have mastered the art of chasing totals.
Here’s a look at 4 players who have scored most ODI hundreds while chasing:
1. Virat Kohli – 26
Indian skipper Virat Kohli has simply re-defined how chasing totals in perceived in ODI cricket. His numbers while chasing are the best in the world. Kohli loves to perform when the pressure is on as it gets the best out of him. Kohli has scored 26 out of his 43 ODI centuries while chasing in the second innings. This is the record for most hundreds scored while chasing in ODI cricket history. And what is even more unbelievable that he has taken his side to victory on 22 of those occasions.
2. Sachin Tendulkar – 17
The Master Blaster was one of the first players who began to do well in ODIs while chasing totals. For a majority of his career, Sachin played as an ODI opener and had a habit of scoring tons to set the foundation for an India win. In his career, Tendulkar scored 17 ODI hundreds while chasing. He was at the peak of his career during the later 90s, as most of those centuries came during the same time. On 14 of those occasions, he contributed in India’s win.
3. Rohit Sharma – 14:
One of the best white-ball players of the current era, Rohit Sharma’s career has been a topsy-turvy ride. However, ever since 2013, his ODI career has witnessed an upward curve which continues to scale higher with every ODI match. He’s been a match-winner for India who sets up wins at the top of the order. In his playing career for India, Rohit has crossed the three-figure mark 14 times while chasing in ODIs. His ability to score big hundreds in a pressure situation is a hallmark a player of his calibre.
4. Chris Gayle – 12
The West Indian legend Chris Gayle is not too way behind when it comes to scoring ODI hundreds while chasing. In his ODI career, Gayle has scored 12 centuries so far while batting second. The Southpaw had this rare ability to score bug hundreds, especially when he opened the innings for the Caribbean team. For a majority of his career, the 40-year old featured in a team that didn’t win enough games. As a result, out of his 12 hundred, only eight arrived in a winning cause for the West Indies.
