Two Players Scoring Centuries in ICC Knockouts – 5 Iconic Partnerships
Two Players Scoring Centuries in ICC Knockouts is a rare and historic achievement in cricket. Only a handful of duos have managed to achieve this in crucial ICC knockout matches, delivering game-changing performances when their teams needed them the most.
Over the years, we have seen legendary partnerships where two batters reached three-figure marks in the same innings, dominating world-class bowling attacks. Let’s take a look at five times when two players scored centuries in ICC knockouts, leaving a lasting impact on the game.
1. Shane Watson & Ricky Ponting vs England – 2009 Champions Trophy Semi-Final
🏟 Venue: Centurion, South Africa
📅 Match: Australia vs England, Champions Trophy 2009 Semi-Final
Australia’s legendary duo Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting dismantled England’s bowling attack in the semi-final of the 2009 Champions Trophy. Chasing a target of 258, Ponting anchored the innings with a fluent 111, while Watson played a dominant knock of 136 off 132 balls*, finishing the chase unbeaten.
🔹 Result: Australia won by 9 wickets and advanced to the final, where they defeated New Zealand to win the 2009 Champions Trophy.
2. Tillakaratne Dilshan & Upul Tharanga vs England – 2011 World Cup Quarter-Final
🏟 Venue: Colombo, Sri Lanka
📅 Match: Sri Lanka vs England, 2011 World Cup Quarter-Final
Sri Lanka’s opening pair Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga gave a batting masterclass in Colombo, chasing England’s target of 230 with ease. Both batters reached their centuries as they stitched an unbeaten 231-run opening partnership.
🔹 Scores:
- Dilshan – 108 (115)*
- Tharanga – 102 (122)*
Sri Lanka won comfortably by 10 wickets, securing a spot in the 2011 World Cup Semi-Finals.
3. Travis Head & Steve Smith vs India – 2023 World Test Championship Final
🏟 Venue: The Oval, England
📅 Match: Australia vs India, 2023 WTC Final
Australia’s Travis Head and Steve Smith dominated India in the first innings of the 2023 World Test Championship Final at The Oval. The duo put up a match-defining 285-run partnership, setting up Australia’s victory.
🔹 Scores:
- Travis Head – 163 (174)
- Steve Smith – 121 (268)
🔹 Result: Australia won the WTC Final 2023, becoming the second team to win the World Test Championship title.
4. Virat Kohli & Shreyas Iyer vs New Zealand – 2023 World Cup Semi-Final
🏟 Venue: Mumbai, India
📅 Match: India vs New Zealand, 2023 World Cup Semi-Final
In a high-pressure semi-final clash, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer rose to the occasion, scoring magnificent centuries to take India to a mammoth total of 397/4.
🔹 Scores:
- Virat Kohli – 117 (113)
- Shreyas Iyer – 105 (70)
With this knock, Kohli broke the record for most centuries in ODI World Cups (50th overall century). India went on to defeat New Zealand and reached the World Cup Final.
5. Rachin Ravindra & Kane Williamson vs South Africa – 2025 Champions Trophy Semi-Final
🏟 Venue: Pakistan (TBD)
📅 Match: New Zealand vs South Africa, 2025 Champions Trophy Semi-Final
Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson joined the elite list by scoring centuries in the 2025 Champions Trophy Semi-Final against South Africa. Their partnership helped New Zealand post a strong total, putting them in a commanding position.
🔹 Scores:
- Rachin Ravindra – 109 (124)
- Kane Williamson – 101 (112)
The match further solidified Ravindra’s growing reputation as a key player for New Zealand in big tournaments.
Scoring a century in an ICC knockout match is a monumental achievement, but when two batters do it in the same innings, it showcases absolute dominance. These legendary partnerships have played a vital role in shaping cricket history, helping their teams secure famous victories.
As cricket evolves, more such memorable performances will be added to this elite list in future ICC tournaments.
