Double Centuries in ODI Cricket: The Rarest Batting Record
Only six batters have ever scored 200 or more in a One-Day International. Rohit Sharma has three of them. The full list, how each was achieved, and what makes ODI double centuries so extraordinary.
Scoring 200 runs in an ODI innings is among the rarest achievements in cricket. A batter faces a maximum of 50 overs to bat (300 balls if they face every delivery), and must score at a rate of at least 4 runs per ball to reach 200 from 50 overs. The first ODI double century was not scored until 2010 — 39 years after the format began — and only six batters have achieved the feat across the entire history of the format. What makes ODI double centuries so rare is the combination of requirements: the batter must bat the entire 50 overs or close to it, score at a very high rate, and receive support from partners who rotate the strike effectively while not getting out.
Sachin Tendulkar: The First ODI Double Century
The first ODI double century in history was scored by Sachin Tendulkar — 200 not out against South Africa in Gwalior in February 2010. Tendulkar batted for 147 balls, hitting 25 fours and 3 sixes, and India posted 401 for 3 in their 50 overs. The innings broke the record for highest individual ODI score, which had stood at 194 by Saeed Anwar (1997) and then Charles Coventry (194, 2009). Tendulkar's 200 opened a new era in ODI scoring — demonstrating that 200 was not just theoretically possible but achievable with the right conditions, pitch, and batting form. Within four years of Tendulkar's 200, three more double centuries had been scored.
Rohit Sharma's Three Double Centuries
Rohit Sharma is the only batter in cricket history to have scored three ODI double centuries: 209 against Australia in Bengaluru (2013), 264 against Sri Lanka in Kolkata (2014 — the world record), and 208 not out against Sri Lanka in Mohali (2017). Rohit's three double centuries all came against lower-ranked opposition on subcontinental pitches where conditions heavily favour batters. His 264 — hit off 173 balls with 33 fours and 9 sixes — remains the highest individual score in ODI history by 27 runs. The triple achievement is unique in cricket: no other batter has scored more than one ODI double century, making Rohit's consistency at this extreme scoring level unmatched. His success came significantly after he was promoted to ODI opener in 2013, giving him the opportunity to bat the full 50 overs.
Martin Guptill's 237: The World Cup Record
Martin Guptill of New Zealand scored 237 not out against the West Indies in a 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup quarter-final at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington — the second-highest ODI score ever and the highest in a World Cup match. Guptill batted for 163 balls and hit 24 fours and 11 sixes as New Zealand won by 143 runs. The innings was remarkable for its context — a knockout World Cup match — rather than a routine bilateral series. Guptill's score is the only double century scored in an ICC World Cup tournament and came at a critical moment in New Zealand's run to the 2015 World Cup final. Despite the extraordinary score, Guptill missed the 2019 World Cup due to form issues, illustrating how cricket careers can fluctuate even at the highest level.
All ODI Double Centuries: The Complete List
| Score | Batter | Against | Year | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 264 | Rohit Sharma (Ind) | Sri Lanka | 2014 | Kolkata |
| 237* | Martin Guptill (NZ) | West Indies | 2015 | Wellington |
| 215* | Chris Gayle (WI) | Zimbabwe | 2015 | Canberra |
| 209 | Rohit Sharma (Ind) | Australia | 2013 | Bengaluru |
| 208* | Rohit Sharma (Ind) | Sri Lanka | 2017 | Mohali |
| 200* | Sachin Tendulkar (Ind) | South Africa | 2010 | Gwalior |
Frequently asked questions
Who scored the first ODI double century?
Sachin Tendulkar of India — 200 not out against South Africa in Gwalior in February 2010. The innings was played on a flat pitch in 147 balls and broke the record that had stood at 194 since Saeed Anwar's 194 against India in 1997. India posted 401 for 3 and won the match.
How many ODI double centuries have been scored?
Six ODI double centuries have been scored in history: three by Rohit Sharma (264, 209, 208*), and one each by Martin Guptill (237*), Chris Gayle (215*), and Sachin Tendulkar (200*). All six came after 2010, showing how the ODI scoring environment changed dramatically in the 2010s. India's home pitches feature prominently in these records.
Why are ODI double centuries so rare?
Because scoring 200 in 50 overs requires a strike rate of at least 133 — extremely high to sustain across an entire innings. The batter must also survive for nearly the full 50 overs without being dismissed. Most high-scoring ODI innings are cut short by wickets or the innings ending with partners who cannot maintain the same rate. Flat subcontinental pitches, short boundaries, and weak bowling attacks are typically also required.