Top 10 Oldest Batsmen to Score ODI Century

Scoring a century in One Day International (ODI) cricket is a remarkable achievement, and doing so at an older age is even more special. Experience, patience, and smart shot selection often allow seasoned players to outperform younger competitors. This article lists the Oldest Batsmen to Score ODI Century, highlighting their age, runs, and opponents, showing that age is never a barrier to excellence in cricket.

10. Sunil Gavaskar (India)

India’s legendary Sunil Gavaskar proved that age is just a number. At 38 years and 113 days, Gavaskar scored an unbeaten 103 runs against New Zealand. This innings was particularly important as India was facing a challenging situation, and Gavaskar’s patience, technique, and cricketing intelligence helped anchor the innings. His ability to rotate the strike, choose the right shots, and stay calm under pressure demonstrates why he is counted among the Oldest Batsmen to Score ODI Century. This innings reflects his immense concentration, long-term focus, and enduring mastery at the international level, highlighting why experience can often outweigh raw talent.

9. Hashan Tillakaratne (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka’s dependable middle-order batsman Hashan Tillakaratne scored 104 runs against Scotland at 38 years and 148 days. His innings was crucial because it helped stabilize the team and maintain momentum in a tense match situation. Tillakaratne’s smart shot selection, precise timing, and careful pacing show his wealth of experience in international cricket. His ability to adapt to different match scenarios and handle pressure effectively reinforces why he is recognized among the Oldest Batsmen to Score ODI Century. This performance proves that older players with strategic thinking and composure can make decisive contributions.

8. DL Hemp (Bermuda)

DL Hemp of Bermuda demonstrated that age and experience can produce remarkable performances, even for smaller cricketing nations. At 38 years and 149 days, he scored 102 not out against Kenya in a disciplined and calculated innings. Hemp’s patience, strategic shot placement, and ability to handle pressure reflect his maturity as a batsman. This century not only stands as a proud moment in Bermuda cricket history but also ensures that Hemp is celebrated among the Oldest Batsmen to Score ODI Century, proving that skill, composure, and focus can overcome challenges regardless of the team’s stature.

7. Sachin Tendulkar (India)

The legendary Sachin Tendulkar, widely known as the “Little Master,” continued to shine even in the twilight of his career. At 38 years and 327 days, he scored 114 runs against Bangladesh, demonstrating his unmatched class, technique, and cricketing intellect. Tendulkar’s innings displayed his mastery in reading the game, rotating the strike efficiently, and accelerating at the right moments. His fitness, discipline, and dedication to the sport ensured that he performed consistently, making him one of the Oldest Batsmen to Score ODI Century. This innings reflects how focus, experience, and perseverance can produce extraordinary results even at an older age.

6. Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan)

Afghanistan’s experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi delivered a magnificent performance at 39 years and 39 days, scoring 136 runs against Sri Lanka. His innings combined steady defense, clever shot selection, and smart strike rotation, reflecting a deep understanding of the game. Nabi’s century not only contributed significantly to his team’s performance but also highlights why he is regarded among the Oldest Batsmen to Score ODI Century. This innings demonstrates that consistent fitness, strategic thinking, and patience can allow players to achieve remarkable milestones even in the later stages of their careers.

5. Geoff Boycott (England)

One of England’s most disciplined batsmen, Geoff Boycott, scored a memorable 105 runs against Australia at 39 years and 51 days. Known for his unwavering concentration, technical precision, and patient approach, Boycott meticulously paced his innings and carefully selected each shot to preserve wickets while steadily building runs. His performance ranks him among the Oldest Batsmen to Score ODI Century, highlighting how experience, mental resilience, and disciplined technique can make a player crucial in challenging match situations.

4. Ed Joyce (Ireland)

Ed Joyce represented Ireland with distinction and scored an unbeaten 116 runs against UAE at 39 years and 111 days. Joyce’s innings was marked by a calm temperament, precise shot selection, and excellent strike rotation. He paced the innings strategically, capitalized on loose deliveries, and guided his team effectively. Joyce’s century is celebrated among the Oldest Batsmen to Score ODI Century, demonstrating how experience, leadership, and careful planning can significantly impact international cricket matches.

3. Chris Gayle (West Indies)

Chris Gayle, famously known as the “Universe Boss,” delivered a spectacular innings of 162 runs against England at 39 years and 159 days. His innings combined explosive hitting, impeccable timing, and domination over bowlers, proving that age cannot limit a player’s ability to entertain and influence matches. Gayle’s performance secured his place among the Oldest Batsmen to Score ODI Century, showing that experience combined with natural power, skill, and match awareness can produce extraordinary results in modern ODI cricket.

2. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)

The legendary Sri Lankan all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya scored 107 runs against India at 39 years and 212 days. His aggressive batting style, innovative stroke play, and cricketing intelligence allowed him to dominate the opposition bowlers. Jayasuriya’s century is recognized among the Oldest Batsmen to Score ODI Century, reflecting how experience helps players balance risk-taking with control, making them highly effective even in high-pressure international encounters. His innings inspired his teammates and demonstrated the value of strategic aggression.

1. Khurram Khan (U.A.E.)

At the top of the list is Khurram Khan of the United Arab Emirates, who scored an incredible 132 not out against Afghanistan at 43 years and 162 days. Khurram’s innings displayed immense experience, physical fitness, mental strength, and strategic understanding of the game. He maintained focus over a long period, guided his teammates, and constructed an authoritative innings, which makes him a standout among the Oldest Batsmen to Score ODI Century. This remarkable achievement emphasizes that talent, perseverance, and dedication can triumph over age, and experience can lead to historic performances.