Top 5 contenders for 50 international centuries after Kohli
Virat Kohli slammed his 18th Test hundred on day 5 of the first test match against Sri Lanka to join an elite list of players with 50 international hundreds. Considered as one of the most prestigious landmarks in International cricket, Kohli reached the milestone in 61 test matches and 202 One Day Internationals.
The Indian skipper is eighth on the list behind Sachin Tendulkar (100), Ricky Ponting(71), Kumar Sangakkara (63), Jacques Kallis (62), Hashim Amla (54), Mahela Jayawardene (54) and Brian Lara (53). Tendulkar has the most number of International hundreds and Kohli is the only present-day cricketer with even a remote chance of beating that stellar record.
Let's see who are the top 5 contenders to reach 50 international hundreds.
#5 Joe Root (England) - 23 international hundreds
Joe Root is one of the most gifted and consistent modern day cricketers and the youngest English batsman to score a century in the ODI World Cup.
With an average of more than 50 in both test matches and ODIs, Root has scored 23 international hundreds (13 in 60 test matches and 10 in 97 One Day Internationals). The England test skipper has an excellent conversation rate and at 26 years of age, he has his best years ahead of him.
Root has been in excellent form this year, scoring 1855 international runs in 2017. If he stays fit, he can play, at the very least, 60 more test matches and 100 more ODIs, giving him ample time to reach the coveted milestone.
Sachin Tendulkar's record may be too far for Joe Root but the England captain can certainly finish in top 3 by the time he retires.