In the high-octane world of One Day Internationals (ODIs), where 300-run team totals have become commonplace, one individual milestone still towers like Everest: the double century. It is a rare blend of endurance, concentration, and sheer batting brilliance. Scoring 200 runs in a limited 50-over format is more than a number; it’s an event that makes the world stop and admire.
The first 200 in ODIs was unthinkable until Sachin Tendulkar finally achieved it in 2010, breaking barriers that had lasted for nearly four decades. Since then, only a few elite batsmen have joined this rarefied club. These are the legends who didn’t just bat; they dominated, tortured bowlers, and carved their names into the annals of cricketing greatness.
Let’s take a look at the Top 5 Batsmen with the Most Double Centuries in ODI Cricket History, with detailed stories behind each epic knock.
5. Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan) – 1 Double Century
Fakhar Zaman burst onto the ODI scene like a wildfire, and his 210 against Zimbabwe in 2018* made him the first Pakistani to score a double century in ODIs. It was a clinical performance, but what stood out was his control and precision.
Zaman wasn’t just swinging wildly; he built the innings patiently before switching gears. His partnership with Imam-ul-Haq (304 runs) was a record in itself. His knock was filled with impeccable drives, clever nudges, and brutal slogs.
Fakhar’s 210* remains a milestone moment in Pakistan cricket, elevating him from promising talent to national hero.
Fakhar Zaman – ODI Stats
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Matches | 83 |
| Runs | 3,579 |
| ODI 200s | 1 |
| 100s | 10 |
| Highest Score | 210* |
| Average | 46.67 |
| Strike Rate | 95.31 |
| 4s/6s | 366 / 65 |
4. Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 1 Double Century
Chris Gayle, with his towering sixes and raw muscle power, delivered a thunderous 215 against Zimbabwe in the 2015 World Cup. It was the first-ever double hundred in World Cup history, and it came in typical Gayle fashion slow start, then absolute carnage.
After taking 100 balls to reach his hundred, Gayle took just 33 more to reach 200. The innings featured 10 fours and a staggering 16 sixes. It was raining sixes in Canberra, and bowlers had nowhere to hide.
Gayle’s record-shattering knock powered West Indies to 372 and reminded everyone that when he’s on song, he is simply unstoppable.
Chris Gayle – ODI Stats
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Matches | 301 |
| Runs | 10,480 |
| ODI 200s | 1 |
| 100s | 25 |
| Highest Score | 215 |
| Average | 37.83 |
| Strike Rate | 87.19 |
| 4s/6s | 1128 / 331 |
3. Virender Sehwag (India) – 1 Double Century
Long before Rohit, there was Virender Sehwag, the man who made explosive opening a norm. His 219 against the West Indies in 2011 came when the concept of a double century was still novel. It was only the second 200 in ODI history, and Sehwag made it in his merciless style.
He reached the milestone in just 140 balls, smashing 25 fours and 7 sixes. It was a brutal innings, filled with fearless shots and no respect for bowlers. For someone who didn’t believe in “settling down,” Sehwag’s double ton was an extension of his natural game.
His innings helped India post 418, their then-highest ODI score, and left the crowd in awe of his audacity.
Virender Sehwag – ODI Stats
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Matches | 251 |
| Runs | 8,273 |
| ODI 200s | 1 |
| 100s | 15 |
| Highest Score | 219 |
| Average | 35.05 |
| Strike Rate | 104.33 |
| 4s/6s | 1132 / 136 |
2. Martin Guptill (New Zealand) – 1 Double Century
Martin Guptill may not always be in the limelight, but on his day, he’s one of the most devastating openers in world cricket. His 237 against West Indies* during the 2015 ICC World Cup wasn’t just a personal best; it was the highest World Cup score and the second-highest in ODI history.
Guptill played the perfect opener’s innings: starting with caution, building his tempo, and then launching an all-out assault. What made it more remarkable was the occasion of a World Cup quarter-final and the pressure of knockout cricket.
His 237* featured sublime timing, punishing pull shots, and relentless hitting. It made him the first Kiwi to breach the 200-mark and set the tone for New Zealand’s deep run into the final.
Martin Guptill – ODI Stats
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Matches | 198 |
| Runs | 7,346 |
| ODI 200s | 1 |
| 100s | 18 |
| Highest Score | 237* |
| Average | 41.73 |
| Strike Rate | 87.15 |
| 4s/6s | 776 / 187 |
1. Rohit Sharma (India) – 3 Double Centuries
If there’s one player who has redefined what’s possible in ODIs, it’s Rohit Sharma, fondly nicknamed the “Hitman.” His mastery of pacing an innings, finding gaps, and launching late onslaughts makes him the most prolific scorer of 200s in the format. No other player even comes close.
Rohit’s ability to conserve energy early, then explode in the final overs, is unmatched. Each of his double centuries came in distinct conditions but followed a similar arc: calm beginnings, steady accumulation, and a whirlwind finish.
Double Century 1: 209 vs Australia (2013, Bengaluru)
In a do-or-die series decider, Rohit lit up Chinnaswamy Stadium with 12 fours and 16 sixes. It was the first glimpse of the monster innings he was capable of.
Double Century 2: 264 vs Sri Lanka (2014, Kolkata)
Arguably the greatest ODI knock ever in Eden Gardens. Rohit batted through 50 overs, smashed a world-record 264, and sent a warning to every bowling attack in the world.
Double Century 3: 208 vs Sri Lanka (2017, Mohali)*
Just days after becoming a father, Rohit celebrated with a majestic 208*, balancing emotion with elegance. It was another masterclass in building a big innings.
Rohit Sharma – ODI Stats
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Matches | 262 |
| Runs | 10,709 |
| ODI 200s | 3 |
| 100s | 31 |
| Highest Score | 264 |
| Average | 49.12 |
| Strike Rate | 90.0 |
| 4s/6s | 942 / 323 |
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