Most ODI centuries as opener

Scoring a century in any format requires batters to be at their best level to get the big runs for their side. In the One-Day format, numerous batters have been able to get to the triple-digit mark. However, coming in the top order and being able to lay a solid foundation for the rest of the unit to capitalize upon is quite a task. Impressively, there have been certain openers who have the most ODI centuries to their name. With that said, we take a look at the top three players with the most tons as openers- 

3. Hashim Amla | 27 

The former South Africa cricketer takes third place in this list as he has 27 centuries while opening for the Proteas. Hashim Amla featured in 181 ODI matches and collected 8113 runs at an average of 49.46, which includes 39 fifties and 27 centuries. He is also the fastest to 2,000 (40 innings), 3,000 (57 innings), 4,000 (81 innings) and 5,000 (101 innings) runs in ODI cricket. 

2. Rohit Sharma, Sanath Jayasuriya | 28 

The Indian skipper Rohit Sharma along with former Sri Lanka southpaw Sanath Jayasuriya have scored the joint-second most centuries while opening the batting order for their respective sides. Rohit has 10,031 runs in 248 appearances in ODI cricket, with 51 half-centuries and 30 centuries. On the other hand, the Lankan great got 13430 runs in 445 outings which featured 68 fifties and 28 tons at an average of 32.36. 

1. Sachin Tendulkar | 45 

The legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most centuries coming in the top order. With as many as 45 in his account, Tendulkar comfortably sits atop the charts. The India great has 18426 runs under his belt in 463 matches which includes 96 fifties and 49 tons coming at an average of 44.83.