Top 6 Indian players with fastest Test centuries

It is generally seen in Test cricket that batsmen take their time to settle and play with a lot of caution. Given the length of the match, it is very normal for players to bat in that fashion. However, some cricketers display explosive batting even in the longest format of the game. It can either be attributed to the match situation or the natural game of a particular player. In overall record, former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum holds the record for smashing fastest Test century. He hit a century in just 54 balls against Australia in his last game of the format. Let’s have a look at top-6 Indians in the list. Top-6 Indian players who have hit fastest Test century 6. Hardik Pandya – 86 balls vs Sri Lanka, 2017 India’s Hardik Pandya / AFP PHOTO / LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI In just the second match of his Test career, Hardik Pandya hit a fiery century against Sri Lanka in 2017. He reached his hundred in only 86 balls during the innings. The dashing all-rounder played an explosive knock of 108 runs off 96 balls with the help of 8 fours and 7 sixes. India were batting first in this match and posted a total of 487 runs in the first innings. Opener Shikhar Dhawan also hit a ton scoring 119 runs off 123 balls including 17 fours. India eventually won this match by an innings and 171 runs after bowling out Sri Lankan team for 135 runs and 185 runs in consecutive innings as they were forced to follow on. Hardik Pandya was awarded player of the match for his wonderful knock. 5. Kapil Dev – 86 balls vs England, 1982 Kapil Dev batting (Zonal). (Photo by Patrick Eagar/Popperfoto via Getty Images) Former Indian captain Kapil Dev smacked a century in 86 balls against England in the Lucknow Test, 1982. The all-rounder hit 116 runs off 98 balls, including 16 fours and 2 sixes. India put up a total of 377/7 in the first innings in response to visitors’ score of 378/9. Apart from Kapil Dev in Indian innings, captain Sunil Gavaskar, Gundappa Vishwanath and Yashpal Sharma also had vital contributions with all scoring half-centuries. This match ended in a draw as only 2 innings were completed in 5 days with one day being a rest day in between. This match was part of a six-match Test series which India won by a margin of 1-0. 4. Shikhar Dhawan- 85 balls vs Australia, 2013 Shikhar Dhawan started his Test career with a bang when he hit a brisk century against Australia on his Test debut in 2013. Dhawan played marvellous innings of 187 runs off 174 balls including 33 fours and 2 sixes. This is still the highest score on debut in Tests by an Indian player. India were all out for 499 runs in the first innings in response to Australia’s score of 408 runs. Murali Vijay also smashed ton for the hosts scoring 153 runs off 317 balls. Virat Kohli remained not out on 67 runs off 129 balls. In the second innings, India bowled out the Aussie team for 223 runs and had to chase 133 runs in the fourth innings. The hosts chased down the total in 33.3 overs winning the Test by 6 wickets. Dhawan was adjudged player of the match for his amazing knock. 3. Virender Sehwag – 78 balls vs West Indies, 2006 Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag. AFP PHOTO/Indranil MUKHERJEE Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag was known for his natural game which didn’t change with formats. He smashed a ton in only 78 balls against West Indies in 2006. India posted a huge total of 588/8 in the first innings with centuries from Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Kaif as well. Sehwag played a fiery knock of 180 runs off 190 balls with the help of 20 fours and 2 sixes. Dravid hit 146 runs off 234 balls while Kaif scored 148 balls off 243 balls. West Indies were bowled out for 215 runs in the first innings and were asked to follow on. In the second innings, they managed a draw after batting for 119 overs in the fourth innings scoring 294/7. Sehwag was chosen as player of the match for his 180-run knock. 2. Mohammad Azharuddin – 74 balls vs South Africa, 1996 Mohammad Azharuddin of India (Photo by Patrick Eagar/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images) Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin holds the joint record for scoring the fastest century for India in Test cricket. He achieved this milestone against South Africa in the Kolkata Test, 1996. Sri Lanka got all out for 428 runs in their first innings. In response, India were bowled out for 329 runs with a glorious century from Mohammad Azharuddin. Azharuddin played a fiery knock of 109 runs off 77 balls, with century coming off only 74 balls. In the fourth innings, South Africa set a target of 467 runs against hosts. The Indian team were all out for only 137 runs thus losing the Test by 329 runs. 1. Kapil Dev – 74 balls vs Sri Lanka, 1986 Kapil Dev, 1986. (Photo by David Munden/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images) Former Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev has also holds the joint record for hitting the fastest ton for India albeit his innings came earlier. He achieved this feat against Sri Lanka in Kanpur Test, 1986. Sri Lanka had earlier posted a total of 420 runs in the first innings. In response, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Mohammad Azharuddin hit hundreds for the hosts. Kapil reached hundred in only 74 balls scoring 163 runs off 165 balls. Azharuddin was unfortunately dismissed for 199 runs missing out a double century. India put up a total of 676/7 in 167.1 overs. This match ended up as a draw after only 2 innings could be completed in the Test. Sunil Gavaskar was awarded player of the match for his 302 balls 176-run knock.

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Top 6 Indian players with fastest Test centuries

In overall record, former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum holds the record of smashing fastest Test century.

1. Kapil Dev – 74 balls vs Sri Lanka, 1986

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