Team India have made a fantastic start to the World Test Championship and sit second on the points table behind Australia based on points per series. Having faced West Indies and New Zealand away from home and South Africa and Bangladesh at home, many Indian batsmen have been able to step up and take their game to their next level.
The consistency with which these batsmen have scored their runs has, in the end, helped the Indian bowlers to have a big score to work with. Here we have a look at players who have scored the most number of centuries for India in the World Test Championship.
1. Mayank Agarwal – 3
Mayank Agarwal has transformed himself into India’s first-choice opener in Test cricket. Having got his chance to debut for India in the 2018-19 Australia tour, Agarwal scored a couple of 70s and showed what he can do with the bat. His counter-attacking style of play brought the best out of him, and he continued to show his class in the World Test Championship.
In the 9 Tests he played in the World Test Championship so far, Agarwal has scored 779 runs at a brilliant average of 55.64. His highest score of 243 has come against Bangladesh last year. He also has 3 centuries to his name, which is the joint-most by an Indian in World Test Championship. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy set to begin on 17th December, Mayank Agarwal’s form will be crucial for India at the top of the order.
2. Rohit Sharma – 3
Rohit Sharma had already established himself in white-ball cricket as one of the most dangerous openers going around. However, he could not replicate that success batting in the middle-order for team India in the Test matches. He was finally asked to open the batting in Tests last year and he was on absolute fire at the top of the order.
In the five Tests that he has played in the World Test Championship, Rohit has scored 556 runs at a mind-boggling average of 92.66 including 3 centuries, which is the joint-most by an Indian in this tournament. His highest score of 212 came against South Africa last year. He will look to create an impact in the last two Tests against Australia.
3. Virat Kohli – 2
India’s best batsman across all three formats, Virat Kohli has led the Indian side brilliantly in the World Test Championship. However, he has also batted well in the nine Tests that he has played in this tournament, scoring 627 runs at an average of 52.25.
Kohli has scored two centuries out of which one came against Bangladesh in the pink-ball Test and the other came against South Africa which is also his career-best score of 254*. Although he will be available for just one Test against Australia, he will look to leave the Australian shores by helping India take a 1-0 lead in the Test series.
4. Ajinkya Rahane – 2
India’s red-ball vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane also has decent numbers in the World Test Championship. Having played 9 Tests, Rahane hs scored 715 runs at a fantastic average of 59.58 with two centuries to his name.
His highest score of 115 came against South Africa last year. With Kohli set to miss the last three Tests against Australia, Rahane will look to lead by example and he is in good touch after having scored a century against Australia A in the first practice game.
