Top 5 Indians With Most ODI Centuries Before Turning 25
Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar during 2019 World Cup (x.com)
In the grand tapestry of Indian cricket, there exists a handful of prodigiously talented individuals who, like shooting stars, illuminated the cricketing skies with their extraordinary promise and zeal at their early age itself.
Such batting maestros, bearing the hopes and aspirations of a cricket-crazy nation, showcased an exceptional knack for converting their boundless potential into remarkable achievements at a time when most were still finding their footing in life.
Here at OneCricket, we embark on a journey through time and talent to explore five Indian cricketers who crafted the most number of ODI centuries before turning 25. From legendary Sachin Tendulkar to rising star Shubman Gill, each name on this elite batting roster carved a unique place for themselves in the hearts of India’s cricketing lore with their exquisite achievements.
Top Five Indians With Most ODI Centuries Before Turning 25
| Batsmen | ODI Centuries Before Turning 25 |
|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 21 |
| Virat Kohli | 20 |
| Yuvraj Singh | 8 |
| Virender Sehwag | 6 |
| Shubman Gill | 6 |
1. Sachin Tendulkar
At a tender age of 16, Sachin Tendulkar made his international debut with a baptism of fire against Pakistan during the Karachi Test of 1989. A month later against the same opponents, the cricketer took his first steps in ODIs, although he embraced the format with a duck upfront.
As it turned out, the tour was just a tipping point of a long and illustrious journey for the cricketing prodigy, as he ended up claiming nearly every batting record to his name. By the end of his international run, Sachin Tendulkar had already piled up 49 ODI centuries to top the all-time record.
Remarkably, he listed 21 of them before turning 25 itself, all while countering the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Curtly Ambrose, Shaun Pollock and Courtney Walsh. For his remarkable batting feats, Sachin Tendulkar continues to remain world’s highest ODI century-maker before completing 25 years of age.
2. Virat Kohli
Sachin Tendulkar’s successor Virat Kohli launched himself to stardom at an early age. Making his debut at 19 with a precocious talent, his hunger for runs for palpable. It did not take long for the cricketing world to take notice of his sheer class and consistency, as his unyielding work ethic fetched him 20 ODI hundreds by the time he had turned 25.
Moreover, the centuries from Virat Kohli’s blade also turned out to be the cornerstones of some remarkable Indian run-chases, including the two he blasted in the space of a month against Sri Lanka (in Hobart) and Pakistan (in Dhaka) back in 2012. Of course, his appetite for runs and match-winning tons did not stop at 25 as he is currently on the verge of dethroning Sachin Tendulkar from ODI cricket’s all-time century-maker list.
3. Yuvraj Singh
Swashbuckling southpaw Yuvraj Singh plundered eight majestic ODI centuries before turning 25. One of the most memorable ones from his collection remains the 139 runs he brandished against a champion Australian attack in their own den during their 2003 SCG affair.
Yuvraj Singh’s aggressive stroke-play and fearless approach to batting, especially in limited-overs internationals, made him an instant fan favourite. The legendary all-rounder was at his fearsome best during India’s 2006 tour of Pakistan, where he bludgeoned 344 runs and powered his side to a historic 4-1 series win at the age of just 24.
His ability to clear the ropes with ease and his elegant drives through the covers made him a treat to watch, and his eight tons before even turning 25 proved pivotal in shaping India’s success in ODIs during the mid-2000s.
4. Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag butchered his opponents to smithereens with an unparalleled blend of audacious stroke-play and relentless aggression, and redefining the art of opening the innings in ODIs while doing so. Making his international debut at 21, the cricketer blasted six ODI hundreds before he turned 25, and tore New Zealand to pieces during India’s tough winter trip ‘Down Under’ in 2002.
Sehwag’s love-affair with New Zealand did not end there, as he bludgeoned four of his six ODI centuries before turning 25 against them. He eventually concluded his glittering 50-overs career with 15 tons, including two World Cup specials and a double-ton at the twilight of his illustrious journey.
5. Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill, still a year away from completing 25, already has six ODI centuries including a double ton to his name. Just 24 years old at the moment, the opener has ample time to climb up higher on the elite ladder of Indian cricket.
Gill’s elegant stroke-play, calm demeanour under pressure, and impeccable timing has already made him one of India’s most promising batting talents. The dashing opener recently unfurled one of his best yet against Bangladesh at the 2023 Asia Cup, as his counterattacking 121 without much support from the other end took India to within the brink of a remarkable victory.
By evolving and gaining experience at an early age, Gill might well be paving a way for painting many more of such batting masterpieces on the canvas of his glorious career.
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