Top 10 Captains with most ODI centuries

Top 10 Captains with most ODI centuries: Leadership is a craft not everybody can perform with similar efficiency. It demands putting the team ahead of all other interests and taking everybody along. ODI cricket has seen many great captains over the years who have led their teams to glory. But there has also been considerable shift in the dimensions and elements of 50 over matches all these years. And only a few leaders have been able to lead by example, from the front. Sensational batting performances from the skipper lifts the morale of the whole side and what better if that innings is a three figure score. We take a look at the Top 10 Captains with most ODI centuries: 10. Brian Lara – 5 Centuries Brian Lara. (© Getty Images) At number 10 in the list is the great West Indian batsman Brian Lara. He took over the leadership reigns when most of the guys would have refused considering the deteriorating structure of cricket in the Caribbean. And that showed up in his batting as well. Normally averaging in the high 40s Lara’s average during the 125 match captaincy tenure dipped to 35 as he managed just 3275 runs. Apart from the 5 centuries he also hit 18 half centuries during the 13-year period. Also Read – Top 10 Captains with most runs in ODIs 9. Michael Clarke – 5 Centuries Michael Clarke. (© Getty Images) ‘Pup’ is on number 9 because of scoring those 5 centuries and at a better average. He averaged an impressive 45 for his 2745 runs. Clarke took over from Ponting after the 2011 cricket World Cup as the full-time captain of the side and retired from ODIs after winning the 2015 World Cup at home. He will be remembered as an astute tactician who always backed his players. 8. Sachin Tendulkar – 6 Centuries Sachin Tendulkar. (© Getty Images) Sachin Tendulkar needs little introduction for his batting prowess, but his captaincy was not that all revered. Perhaps it wasn’t his cup of tea. Though he played some memorable knocks during the stint from 1996 to 2000 but wasn’t able to inspire the Indians to deliver consistent performances. The most memorable knock came against New Zealand in 1999 when he made 186 not out which remained his highest ODI score until he made that famous double century in Gwalior. 7. MS Dhoni – 6 Centuries MS Dhoni. (Photo Source: BCCI) Current India limited overs skipper Dhoni has simply been a revelation as far as ODI batting is concerned. Having got captaincy in 2007 after the 2007 World Cup, he lead the team to not only the number one rankings in all formats but also to World Cup title in 2011 at home. He is the only captain to have won all 3 ICC trophies. In the 185 matches he has led the side Dhoni has amassed more than 6000 runs with 46 half centuries and a fabulous strike rate of 86. 6. Stephen Fleming – 7 Centuries Stephen Fleming. (© Getty Images) Fleming was the one who ensured the Kiwis were no longer pushovers. During his 10 year stint from 1997 to 2007 Fleming managed 7 centuries for his 6295 runs. He also hit 38 fifties in those 218 games. Graceful and determined, Stephen Fleming will go down as one of the most successful captain of his country. He is also the first New Zealand batsman to pass the landmark of 7000 Test runs. He hardly looked perturbed with any bowling attack and was a figure of serenity at the crease. 5. Graeme Smith – 8 Centuries Graeme Smith. (© STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images) Many thought he was a pretty sedate ODI batsmen and a misfit in this form but a strike rate of above 83 proves otherwise. Given captaincy at a young age of 22, Smith couldn’t inspire South Africa to great shows in ICC tournaments but was able to put through fine performances in the bilateral ODIs. He led the side for 8 years and made more than 5000 runs scoring 37 half centuries. As a batsman he was pretty strong through his legs and did not allow the spinners to dominate. 4. Sanath Jayasuriya – 10 Centuries Sanath Jayasuriya. (Photo Source: Getty Images) The current chief selector of Sri Lanka cricket, Jayasuriya was an explosive batsman of his generation. In 118 matches as captain he scored 10 centuries at a mind-boggling strike rate 88.05. He also made more than 400 runs with the willow during his tenure. Who can forget that 189 he made against India at Sharjah. It is hard to imagine that for the first half half-decade of his career he was considered a bowler who could bat a bit. He eventually finished with over 13000 runs from 445 games. 3. Sourav Ganguly – 11 Centuries Sourav Ganguly. (© Getty Images) In 147 games as skipper ‘Dada’ scored more than 5000 runs which included 11 three figure scores and 30 half centuries. He was perhaps the man responsible for a revolutionary change of mindset in Indian cricket. Under him India started performing well away from home and also reached the 2003 World Cup final when not many gave them a chance. A joy to watch through the off side, Ganguly will always be remembered as the man who shaped careers of young players like Sehwag, Yuvraj and Harbhajan. 2. AB de Villiers – 12 Centuries AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: BCCI) He is not all about the flamboyance you see on the field. He has amazing skills and great temperament to back up his creative intent. He has played almost half the games as Ganguly (76) and averages almost twice during those matches. This should be enough to give ample proof of his prowess. His strike rate of 111.80 is the highest among the list. De Villiers has the potential to be the greatest South African batsman of all time given his supernatural talent. 1. Ricky Ponting – 22 Centuries Ricky Ponting. (© Getty Images) Yes you read it correct, 22 centuries. The numero uno spot is unlikely to be taken by anybody in the recent future. Ponting’s tons as a skipper are just double of AB’s numbers and will take some doing to break. He also has the highest number of half centuries in the list – 51. Ponting lead the Aussie to two World Cup trophies in 2003 and 2007 in the ODI format. His 8497 runs came at an impressive average of 42.91 in the 230 games. Without a doubt he sits below just Bradman in the list of great Aussie batsmen. Also Read – Top 10 Captains with highest ODI average (All Stats Updated Till 25th October, 2015)

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Top 10 Captains with most ODI centuries

2. AB de Villiers – 12 Centuries

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