Fastest double centuries in ODIs - Ishan Kishan takes top spot

For a long period of time, a double century in ODI cricket was deemed an impossible task. Sir Vivian Richards came close in the 80s and Saeed Anwar fell just six runs short against India in the 90s.

In the early 2000s, Herschelle Gibbs, MS Dhoni, Charles Coventry, Sanath Jayasuriya came close, but the first double ton did not materialise until February 24, 2010. Sachin Tendulkar became the first batter to reach that landmark and over the next five years, a host of other batters joined the bandwagon.

Ishan Kishan holds the record for the fastest double century in ODI cricket. His 200 came up in 126 deliveries and surpassed Chris Gayle’s record (138 balls). Meanwhile, Shubman Gill is the youngest double centurion in ODIs at 23 years and 132 days.

Fastest double centuries in ODIs

Ishan Kishan - 126 balls vs Bangladesh (2022)

Ishan Kishan finished with 210 off 131 balls, which includes 24 fours and 10 sixes. He batted at a strike rate of 160.31, no other double-centurion finished their innings with a better strike rate than the batter from Patna. Kishan became the youngest cricketer to score an ODI double ton and the first to complete his maiden century in the format into a double century.

Glenn Maxwell - 128 balls vs Bangladesh (2023)

An injured Glenn Maxwell on one leg played one of the most sensational knocks in ODI history. After being down at 91/7 at one stage, Australia staged a miraculous chase courtesy of a partnership between Maxwell and Pat Cummins. Maxwell with a cramp scored an unbeaten 128-ball 201 in match 39 of World Cup 2023 against Afghanistan to pull off a stunning chase and help the Aussies to a three-wicket win.

Pathum Nissanka - 136 balls vs Afghanistan (2024)

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka features third on the list for the fastest double centuries in ODIs. Opening the batting, Pathum Nissanka hammered 200 off just 136 balls during the first ODI of Afghanistan's tour of Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in 2024. The swashbuckling right-handed batter became the first Sri Lankan cricketer to score a double hundred in ODI cricket. Furthermore, Nissanka also broke the record for the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan in ODI history as he remained unbeaten on 210 off 139 balls, laced with 20 fours and eight maximums.

Chris Gayle - 138 balls vs Zimbabwe (2015)

Chris Gayle was the first non-Indian batter to score a double century in ODIs and the first to do it at the ICC Cricket World Cup (2015 edition). He scored 215 runs off 147 deliveries and brought up the 200-mark in 138 balls. With this, Gayle became the first cricketer to achieve the unique feat of scoring a century in T20Is, a double century in ODIs and a triple century in Tests. 

Virender Sehwag - 140 balls vs West Indies (2011)

Virender Sehwag was the second batter to score a double century in ODIs. The swashbuckling opener brought up the 200-mark in just 140 deliveries, finishing with 219 runs off 149 balls. He held the record for the highest individual score in this format until November 2014, when Rohit Sharma surpassed him.

Shubman Gill - 145 balls vs New Zealand (2023)

Shubman Gill became the youngest batter (23 years, 132 days) to hit a double century in ODIs when he achieved the feat against Kiwis in the first ODI of the New Zealand tour of India 2023. Moreover, he also set the record of highest individual score versus the Black Caps in ODIs while also becoming the fastest cricketer to breach the 1000-run mark in ODIs.

Sachin Tendulkar - 147 balls vs South Africa (2010)

Sachin Tendulkar achieved many records during his illustrious career but this double century against South Africa remains one of his most special achievements. He scored 200 runs in 147 balls, which includes 25 fours and three sixes. Tendulkar remains to be the oldest batter to score a double ton. 

Fakhar Zaman - 148 balls vs Zimbabwe (2018)

Fakhar Zaman became the first Pakistani batter to score a double century in this format, against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. The opener brought up his 200 in just 148 balls and remained unbeaten on 210. He smashed 24 fours and 10 sixes en route to his double ton.

Picture credit: Alamy