In a dazzling display of consistency and power-hitting, South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has equalled Kumar Sangakkara’s elite world records, cementing his status as one of the most prolific limited-overs players of the modern era. His latest milestone has sparked global cricket chatter, especially because iconic keepers like Adam Gilchrist and MS Dhoni — giants of the game — are “not even close” to some of de Kock’s staggering ODI achievements.

De Kock, who has long been praised for his clean striking and effortless timing, reached the landmark by scoring yet another century in tournament play, bringing his tally level with Sri Lankan maestro Sangakkara’s record for most centuries in a single ODI World Cup edition. Sangakkara smashed four hundreds in the 2015 World Cup — a feat once considered untouchable — until de Kock matched that historic number.

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the pace at which de Kock has climbed the charts. At a relatively younger age compared to previous greats, he has recorded more ODI hundreds as a wicketkeeper-batter than virtually any of his contemporaries, creating a category of dominance unique to modern cricket.

While Gilchrist revolutionised the keeper-batter role and Dhoni redefined finishing under pressure, neither came close to the volume of top-order centuries that de Kock has produced. Analysts highlight that de Kock’s conversion rate, strike rate consistency, and record in global tournaments put him in an exclusive league alongside Sangakkara.

Cricket experts say this milestone could reshape discussions about all-time great wicketkeeper-batters. Many expect de Kock’s record tally to grow even further as he continues to blend explosive power with remarkable calm under pressure — a combination that has become his trademark.