7 batsmen who have scored 2 or more World Cup centuries against the same opposition

The World Cup is undoubtedly cricket's biggest stage. Every batsman dreams of scoring a hundred in the the tournament. And over the years, some players have been fortunate enough to replicate their success across multiple editions, and that too against the same opposition.

Here, we take a look at 7 players who have scored two or more World Cup hundreds against the same opposition.

#7 Brian Lara vs South Africa

Brian Lara

Brian Lara's love affair with the South African team was no secret. Throughout his career the champion batsman from Trinidad saved his best for the Proteas.

In the 1996 quarter-final at Karachi, Lara's blistering shot-making on his way to 111 was instrumental in knocking South Africa out of the World Cup. Seven years later, during the 2003 edition, Lara smashed 116 against the hosts in a thriller which West Indies won by 3 runs.

#6 Ricky Ponting vs India

Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting was known as India's tormentor throughout his career. And the story was no different in the World Cup. Ponting set the stage on fire in two high-voltage clashes against India, in 2003 and 2011.

In 2003, Ponting played a captain's knock, scoring 140 not out off just 121 balls in the World Cup final which led Australia to a crushing win over India. Eight years later, it was a relapse in the quarterfinal of the 2011 World Cup in Ahmedabad as Ponting hit 104, this time in vain.

#5 Aaron Finch vs England

Aaron Finch

Aaron Finch has had the honor a century against arch-rivals England on two of the most iconic cricket venues during the World Cup.

In 2015, Finch hit a magnificent 135 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the group stage encounter against England. Four years later, he achieved the same feat against the same opposition, this time at the home of cricket i.e. Lord's.

Both these hundreds resulted in Australia pounding the English team.

Also see – India vs England head to head stats

#4 Sourav Ganguly vs Kenya

Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly is one of the most commendable leaders India has ever had. And in his prime, he was a nightmare for any bowling attack.

During the 2003 World Cup, Ganguly was in the form of his life and smacked two centuries against a potent Kenyan unit. In the Super 8 fixture at Cape Town, Ganguly hit an unbeaten 107 to see India home in a chase of 226.

Thereafter, in the semi-final, his 111 not out guided India to a daunting total. India tasted success on both occasions.

#3 Scott Styris vs Sri Lanka

Scott Styris

New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris was a tormentor of the Sri Lankan team at the World Cup. Styris scored 4 ODI hundreds in his career out of which two came against Sri Lanka in World Cup cricket.

In 2003, he hit a magnificent 141 in a losing cause during a run-chase where he received very little support from the other end. In the next edition, he took a fair bit of time scoring 111 off 157 balls at Grenada in 2007.

Both of his tons went in vain as Sri Lanka emerged winners on each occasion.

#2 Sachin Tendulkar vs Kenya

Sachin Tendulkar

The Kenyan team received a fair bit of thrashing from Sachin Tendulkar back in the day when they were regulars at the World Cup. In 1996, Tendulkar smashed an unbeaten 127 against Kenya in 1996 in a small run-chase.

Thereafter in 1999, having re-joined the Indian team after his father's demise, he hit a scintillating 140 against Kenya at Bristol and dedicated that innings to his father.

Tendulkar enjoyed tremendous success against Kenya even in matches outside the World Cup.

1) AB de Villiers vs West Indies

Ab de Villiers

The former South African captain has enjoyed tremendous success against the men from the Caribbean. AB de Villiers is the only batsman to score three World Cup hundreds against the same team.

De Villiers set the stage on fire in the 2007 World Cup with a sensational 156 at Grenada against the hosts. He followed it up with an unbeaten 107 to guide South Africa in a small run-chase at Delhi in 2011.

The 2015 knock was much more special as the South African juggernaut smashed the fastest 150 in the history of ODI cricket, finishing with 162 not out off just 66 balls.