Amazing Cricket Fact 12: Did you know that Kumar Sangakkara scored four consecutive centuries in One-Day Internationals?
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara holds the record for the most consecutive ODI centuries. He accomplished this milestone in the 2015 Cricket World Cup when he hit four straight ODI centuries. With that, Sangakkara became the first player to score four consecutive centuries in ODIs.
Sangakkara’s record-breaking streak began on February 26, 2015, against Bangladesh, when he scored 105 runs. He then went on to score an unbeaten 117 against England and 104 against Australia, becoming the first batsman in World Cup history to register hundreds in three successive games.
But he didn’t stop there and notched up 124 against Scotland, scoring his fourth successive hundred. This is also the record for the most consecutive centuries in the ODI World Cup.
He hit his fourth century off 86 balls, moving past an elite group of players who had three consecutive tons: Zaheer Abbas, Saeed Anwar, Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock, and Ross Taylor.
The fact that Sangakkara accomplished this incredible feat at the age of 37, well past the prime of most cricketers, makes it even more astounding. Sangakkara is largely considered to be one of the finest batters of his generation, and his record-breaking streak demonstrates his extraordinary skill and consistency as a batsman. He is also noted for his stamina, having played for Sri Lanka for more than 15 years and appearing in over 590 international matches.
Sangakkara also became the second batsman behind India’s Sachin Tendulkar to reach 14,000 career runs in ODI cricket on March 8, 2015. He accomplished the feat during the World Cup match against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Moreover, he became the first Sri Lankan batter to reach 14,000 runs in ODIs when he scored 14,065 runs in 402 matches (378th innings).
Also Read | Top 10: Most Runs for Sri Lanka in ODI
Kumar Sangakkara’s Consecutive Centuries in ODIs
| Runs (Balls) | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 105* (76) | v Bangladesh | Melbourne | 26-Feb-15 |
| 117* (86) | v England | Wellington | 01-Mar-15 |
| 104 (107) | v Australia | Sydney | 08-Mar-15 |
| 124 (95) | v Scotland | Hobart | 11-Mar-15 |
Sangakkara’s achievement is even more astounding when you consider that he accomplished it in the game’s most competitive format. ODI cricket is a high-pressure environment in which it is extremely tough to score centuries on a consistent basis.
Sangakkara was able to accomplish this because he was an expert in his field. He had a thorough understanding of the game and was able to carry out his ideas flawlessly.
Sangakkara’s four hundreds in a row serve as a reminder of his excellence as a batter. He is one of the best ODI batsmen of all time, and his record will be remembered for many years to come.
