Test cricket is the oldest form of cricket. While shorter formats like T20s and ODIs became more popular, Test cricket still retains the respect it deserves. A country playing Tests regularly is considered a good team generally. India is one of the best teams in the world and ranks number 2 in Tests. Over the years, many great batsmen played for India and made their mark in Tests. Today we will take a look at the 6 fastest Test centuries scored for India.
#6. Hardik Pandya – 86 balls vs Sri Lanka (2017)
Hardik Pandya is India’s main all-rounder today. The explosive batsman took his hard-hitting exploits to the longest format of the game in 2017, when India played Tests against Sri Lanka.
Pandya scored a century in just 86 balls. Pandya made 108 runs in just 96 balls. His knock included 8 fours and 7 sixes. Pandya’s lower-order exploits helped India reach a total of 487 runs.
#5. Kapil Dev – 86 balls vs England (1982)
Kapil Dev is one of the most legendary Indian cricketers of all time. The former skipper scored 5248 runs with the highest score of 163. Dev scored the 5th fastest Test century for India in 1982. India played England in 1982 at Lucknow.
Kapil Dev hit a whirlwind century from just 86 balls. He hit 116 runs from 98 balls in his innings. Dev’s knock consisted of 16 fours and 2 sixes. His century helped India post 377/7 after England scored 378/9 in the first innings. Apart from him, then captain Sunil Gavaskar also scored a half-century.
#4. Shikhar Dhawan- 85 balls vs Australia (2013)
Shikhar Dhawan‘s debut Test match ranks as one of the best debut Test innings ever. The talented left-handed batsman burst onto the scene, scoring a huge tally of 187 runs from 174 balls. His phenomenal innings boosted India to 499. Dhawan got supported by fellow opener Murali Vijay, who also scored a century in the first innings.
Dhawan hit an incredible 33 fours and 2 sixes in his stay at the crease. His century came off just 85 balls and is one of the fastest Test centuries for India. Dhawan was fittingly adjudged player of the match for his knock.
#3. Virender Sehwag – 78 balls vs West Indies (2006)
Virender Sehwag is widely known as one of the best-attacking batsmen in the world. The explosive opener thus has a lot of records to his name. Sehwag always remained unfazed by even the best bowlers in the world. So it’s unsurprising that he features on this list.
Sehwag’s century came against West Indies in 2006 when India toured West Indies. He hit 180 runs off 190 balls in his huge knock, and thus boosted India to a big total of 588. Sehwag’s century came in just 78 balls, and he hit 20 fours and 2 sixes in his stay at the crease.
#2. Mohammad Azharuddin – 74 balls vs South Africa (1996)
Mohammad Azharuddin is a former Indian captain and played an explosive brand of cricket. He scored 6,215 runs in Tests, and hit 22 centuries in his Test career. Azhar always played in an attacking way, and this style of his brings him to this list at the number 2 position.
His century against South Africa ranks second in the fastest Test centuries for India. Azhar hit his century in just 74 balls. He scored 109 runs off just 77 balls. India were bowled out for 329, a score they reached thanks to Azhar’s fiery knock.
#1. Kapil Dev – 74 balls vs Sri Lanka (1986)
Kapil Dev makes his return to this list, this time coming in at the top. The legendary Indian captain is one of the most prolific all-rounders in the history of international cricket. So it is only fitting that he tops this list. Kapil Dev’s century came against Sri Lanka when India hosted Sri Lanka in 1986.
Dev holds the record for hitting the fastest Test century for India. He reached the three-figure mark in just 74 balls. Coincidentally, this innings also led to the highest Test score in his career. Dev scored 163 runs off 165 balls, as India piled up 676/7 in just 167.1 overs.
