Quinton de Kock equals Sanath Jayasuriya's record with century against India

VISAKHAPATNAM: South Africa's experienced opener Quinton de Kock on Saturday equalled legendary Sri Lanka batter Sanath Jayasuriya's record of most centuries against India in ODIs.

De Kock, who reversed his ODI retirement earlier this year, has been in decent form in the format and entered the away series against India with two half-centuries and a century, which came against Pakistan, under his belt.

The left-handed batter, however, had a forgetful start to the ongoing series against India as he registered dismal scores of zero and eight in the first two fixtures.

De Kock then staged a remarkable turnaround in the series decider, currently underway here at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, as he smashed an 80-ball hundred, which marked his 23rd overall, while his seventh against India in the format.

The 32-year-old, as a result, equalled Jayasuriya's long-standing record of scoring the most centuries against India in ODIs.

Sri Lanka's batting great took 76 innings to hit seven tons, while Quinton de Kock needed just 23.

Most centuries by a player against India in ODIs

• Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – seven

• Quinton de Kock (South Africa) – seven

• AB de Villiers (South Africa) – six

• Ricky Ponting (Australia) – six

• Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – six

Furthermore, de Kock also equalled his former captain AB de Villiers' record of scoring the most ODI centuries (seven) as a visiting batter in India. The list further features legendary West Indies batter Chris Gayle, who breached the triple figures six times in the format there.

Most ODI centuries as a visiting batter in India

• AB de Villiers (South Africa) – seven

• Quinton de Kock (South Africa) – seven

• Chris Gayle (West Indies) – six

Interestingly, despite de Kock's record-equalling century, South Africa were bowled out for a below-par 270 in the series decider against India.