Century in Cricket: Scoring 100 Runs in an Innings
A century is when a batsman scores 100 or more runs in a single innings, one of cricket's most celebrated batting milestones.
What Is a Century in Cricket?
A century in cricket is the achievement of scoring 100 or more runs in a single innings without being dismissed (or, in limited-overs formats, before the innings ends). It is one of the most celebrated milestones in batting, symbolising sustained concentration, skill, and endurance.
Types of Centuries
| Type | Runs Scored |
|---|---|
| Century (Ton) | 100–199 |
| Double Century | 200–299 |
| Triple Century | 300–399 |
| Quadruple Century | 400+ |
| Hundred on Debut | 100+ on first appearance |
How a Century Is Celebrated
When a batsman reaches 100, play is usually paused briefly as teammates applaud from the dressing room and the crowd cheers. The batsman often raises their bat toward the pavilion as a salute to their achievement.
Most Centuries in Test Cricket
Sachin Tendulkar holds the world record with 51 Test centuries. In ODIs, he also leads with 49 centuries — a record widely considered one of cricket's most unassailable achievements.
Century Across Formats
- Tests: centuries are most celebrated due to longer format and tougher conditions
- ODIs: a century in 50 overs is highly valued
- T20Is: a century is extremely rare given only 120 balls available
Frequently asked questions
What is a century in cricket?
A century is when a batsman scores 100 or more runs in a single innings.
Who has the most centuries in Test cricket?
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record with 51 Test centuries.
Is a T20 century possible?
Yes, but very rare. A batsman would need to score at a strike rate of over 160+ to reach 100 in a T20 innings.