Leading a national cricket team is a pressure-filled job. But some captains have not only handled that pressure they’ve thrived in it. These cricketing legends have shown extraordinary batting skills while leading their countries, setting a golden standard. This article presents the top 10 players with the Most Hundreds by Captain in International Cricket, celebrating their consistency, class, and contribution to the game as both leaders and performers.
List of Top 10 Most Hundreds by Captain in International Cricket
10. Steve Waugh

Steve Waugh was a tough, no-nonsense leader who led Australia into a golden era. Known for his grit and calmness under pressure, Waugh scored 17 hundreds while captaining Australia. His leadership was built on example, and he often stood up in tough matches to guide his team.
He was never the flashiest batter but was surely among the most dependable. His centuries came in crucial moments, especially in Tests.
Most Hundreds by Captain in International Cricket became a record he contributed to with his consistent performances.
Player Name | Country | Hundreds as Captain |
---|---|---|
Steve Waugh | Australia | 17 |
9. Allan Border

Allan Border took charge of a struggling Australian side in the 1980s and turned it around with his determination and skill. He scored 17 centuries as captain and often carried the team’s batting.
Border wasn’t just a leader with words, but one with runs. His innings helped Australia regain respect in international cricket. His contribution to the Most Hundreds by Captain in International Cricket record proves how vital he was in difficult times.
Player Name | Country | Hundreds as Captain |
---|---|---|
Allan Border | Australia | 17 |
8. Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson is the heart of New Zealand cricket. His elegant stroke play, composed nature, and ability to perform in pressure situations have helped him score 18 hundreds as captain.
He leads with calmness and is known for his humility. His hundreds have come in both formats, and many of them were match-defining. In the list of Most Hundreds by Captain in International Cricket, Kane’s name stands proudly as a symbol of modern-day consistency.
Player Name | Country | Hundreds as Captain |
---|---|---|
Kane Williamson | New Zealand | 18 |
7. Mahela Jayawardene

Mahela Jayawardene was a technically brilliant batsman and a sharp cricketing brain. As Sri Lanka’s captain, he scored 18 centuries, showing how to lead by example.
Whether it was at home or abroad, Mahela’s hundreds often shaped the outcome of the match. His name regularly appears in discussions about the Most Hundreds by Captain in International Cricket, thanks to his poise and patience at the crease.
Player Name | Country | Hundreds as Captain |
---|---|---|
Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 18 |
6. Brian Lara

Brian Lara, the West Indian maestro, was an entertainer and a leader. During his time as captain, he scored 19 international hundreds that were often big and beautiful.
His centuries weren’t just about personal milestones they were about lifting a team that often struggled. Lara’s name is forever engraved in the list of Most Hundreds by Captain in International Cricket because of his stylish dominance and fearless stroke play.
Player Name | Country | Hundreds as Captain |
---|---|---|
Brian Lara | West Indies | 19 |
5. Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke took over the Australian team in a transition phase and led from the front. He registered 19 hundreds while captaining and was known for his flair and footwork.
His double and triple hundreds were particularly memorable, and he was one of the few who thrived in both Tests and ODIs. His elegant stroke play and captaincy success helped him earn a spot in the elite list of the Most Hundreds by Captain in International Cricket.
Player Name | Country | Hundreds as Captain |
---|---|---|
Michael Clarke | Australia | 19 |
4. Steve Smith

Steve Smith has been a unique and dominant batsman of the modern era. With 22 centuries as captain, Smith showcased how to lead a team with pure batting brilliance.
His ability to score heavily in Tests, especially in tough conditions, sets him apart. Smith’s name adds more strength to the ongoing record for the Most Hundreds by Captain in International Cricket, and he continues to climb with every match.
Player Name | Country | Hundreds as Captain |
---|---|---|
Steve Smith | Australia | 22 |
3. Graeme Smith

Graeme Smith holds the record for most matches as Test captain and still scored 33 centuries. He took over leadership duties very young but never let it affect his batting.
His centuries were solid, often grinding efforts that shaped South Africa’s success. With 33 international hundreds, he’s one of the biggest contributors to the Most Hundreds by Captain in International Cricket record.
Player Name | Country | Hundreds as Captain |
---|---|---|
Graeme Smith | South Africa | 33 |
2. Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting led one of the greatest cricket teams in history and still managed to score 41 hundreds as captain. He was known for his aggressive mindset and bold decision-making.
His centuries were often dominant displays of batting, taking the game away from the opposition. When it comes to the Most Hundreds by Captain in International Cricket, Ponting shares the top spot and represents the golden standard of leadership and consistency.
Player Name | Country | Hundreds as Captain |
---|---|---|
Ricky Ponting | Australia | 41 |
1. Virat Kohli

At the top of the list is India’s Virat Kohli, who has also scored 41 hundreds while captaining the national side. He brought unmatched intensity, fitness, and hunger for victory.
His centuries came across all formats, often while chasing under pressure. Kohli is known for his passion and drive, and he stands tall in the record of Most Hundreds by Captain in International Cricket. He is the face of a new era of leadership through performance.
Player Name | Country | Hundreds as Captain |
---|---|---|
Virat Kohli | India | 41 |
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FAQ
Q1. Who has scored the most hundreds as a captain in international cricket?
Virat Kohli and Ricky Ponting share the record with 41 centuries each.
Q2. How many centuries has Steve Smith scored as captain?
Steve Smith has scored 22 hundreds while leading Australia.
Q3. Which Indian captain has scored the most international centuries?
Virat Kohli leads the chart with 41 centuries as captain.
Q4. Did Brian Lara score many hundreds as captain?
Yes, Brian Lara scored 19 centuries as captain of the West Indies.
Q5. Who is the most successful Australian captain in terms of hundreds?
Ricky Ponting is the most successful with 41 hundreds as captain.