Overview:
Chris Gayle, the ‘Universe Boss’, featured in 301 ODIs, accumulating 10,480 runs and 25 centuries. Of these, 11 centuries came in a losing cause, placing him second on the list.
Virat Kohli hit his second consecutive century in the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur on December 3, but India was defeated by four wickets. Kohli scored 102 runs off 93 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, as India posted 358/5. This marked his 53rd ODI century and seventh against South Africa, the most by any player. It was also his first century in a losing ODI since 2019. Kohli is among several players who have scored multiple centuries in ODI losses. Here is the list of batters who have scored the most centuries in a losing cause.
Rohit Sharma (7)
Rohit Sharma, with 33 centuries in 278 ODIs, has scored seven centuries in a losing cause. The list includes 114 against Zimbabwe in 2010, 138 and 150 against Australia and South Africa in 2015, 171* and 124 against Australia in 2016, 133 against the Aussies in 2019, and 102 against England in the same year. Remarkably, he shares this record with Kumar Sangakkara, Paul Stirling, and Ross Taylor, all of whom have also struck seven tons in ODIs that ended in defeat.
Virat Kohli (8)
Virat Kohli has climbed to fourth place on the list with eight ODI centuries in a losing cause, surpassing Rohit Sharma, Kumar Sangakkara, Paul Stirling, and Ross Taylor. His most recent century, a knock of 102 against South Africa, contributed to his rise on the list. In 307 ODIs, Kohli has scored 53 centuries and accumulated 14,492 runs.
Kohli’s eight centuries in ODI defeats include his knocks of 107 against England in 2011, 123 against New Zealand in 2014, 117 and 106 against Australia in 2016, 121 against New Zealand in 2017, 107 against the West Indies in 2018, 123 against Australia in 2019, and his recent century of 102 against South Africa.
Brendan Taylor (9)
Brendan Taylor, the veteran Zimbabwe wicketkeeper-batter, ranks third with nine ODI centuries in a losing cause. In 207 matches, he has scored 6,704 runs and 11 centuries. The nine centuries he has struck in a losing cause are 118* against Bangladesh (2009), 145* against South Africa (2010), 106 against Bangladesh (2011), 128* and 107* against New Zealand (2011), 121 against Ireland (2015), 138 against India (2015), 138 against West Indies (2018), and 112 against Pakistan (2020).
Chris Gayle (11)
Chris Gayle, the ‘Universe Boss’, featured in 301 ODIs, accumulating 10,480 runs and 25 centuries. Of these, 11 centuries came in a losing cause, placing him second on the list. His centuries in defeats include remarkable knocks of 140 against India in 2002, 152* against South Africa in 2004, 132 against South Africa in 2005, and 124 against Pakistan in the same year. Additionally, he scored 123 against India in 2006, 101 against England in 2006, 113 and 122 against Pakistan in 2008, 135 against New Zealand in 2009, and 135 and 162 against England in 2019.
Sachin Tendulkar (14)
Sachin Tendulkar tops the list with 14 centuries in a losing cause. In 463 matches, he scored 18,426 runs and 49 centuries, the second-most in ODI history after Virat Kohli. His centuries in defeats include scores of 137, 100, and 110 against Sri Lanka in 1996, 143 against Australia in 1998, 101 against Sri Lanka and 146 against Zimbabwe in 2000, 101 against South Africa in 2001, 141 against Pakistan in 2004, 123 against Pakistan in 2005, 100 against Pakistan in 2006, 141* against West Indies in 2006, 175 against Australia in 2009, 111 against South Africa in 2011, and 114 against Bangladesh in 2012.
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