Test cricket is considered the truest and most challenging form of the sport, with batsmen focusing more on skill and wicket conservation. In Test cricket, batters are known to take their time settling in and to play with great care. While the pace of batting in Tests is not a significant matter, some batters employ an aggressive batting approach to gain an advantage over their opponents. On that note, let’s take a look at the six fastest test centuries by Indian players.
6. Kapil Dev- 86 Balls
World Cup winning captain, Kapil Dev is one of the greatest all-rounders of all time and has given the Indian team several moments to cherish. Known for his onslaught with the bat at the lower order, he played a quickfire knock against England in the 6th Test at Kanpur in 1982.
England posted a score of 378 in the first innings, in reply to which India were struggling on 207/6 when Kapil came out to bat. However, he went out blazing all guns and smashed the bowlers all around the park to bring his century in just 86 balls, helping India reach the score of 377/7 and secure a draw.
5. Hardik Pandya- 86 balls
Hardik Pandya is among the best modern-day explosive all-rounders, who showed his worth in just his second Test against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in 2017. India opted to bat first and saw themselves on 322/6 when Hardik came out to bat.
He started a bit slow as per his standards but as soon as he got to his half-century, he went berserk and thrashed the Sri Lankan bowlers, making it one of the astonishing test centuries. Hardik reached his maiden century in just 86 balls and helped India post a total of 487.
4. Shikhar Dhawan- 85 balls
Shikhar Dhawan’s maiden Test innings is among the finest ever, as he exploded onto the spotlight with a massive score of 187 runs from 174 balls. In 2013, the Indian team played Australia in the third Test match in Mohali. Australia got the upper hand after scoring a massive 408 runs in their first innings.
Opening the innings, Dhawan played aggressively and brought up his century in just 85 deliveries, beating the record of fastest test century on debut. He guided India to a total of 499 and played a major role in India’s 133 run victory.
3. Virender Sehwag- 78 balls
Virender Sehwag is primarily regarded as one of the globe’s top aggressive batters. When it pertains to hitting quick runs, Sehwag’s name pops out first, as he has done it numerous times throughout his career.
In 2006, he struck his fastest test century against the West Indies, scoring 180 runs in 190 balls. Sehwag went all around from the start, scoring his hundred in just 78 deliveries. Sehwag’s knock helped India post a massive total of 588.
2. Mohammad Azharuddin- 74 balls
Mohammad Azharuddin was one of India’s finest batters, who played a belligerent type of cricket. His century against South Africa was India’s joint fastest Test century. Azharuddin accomplished this feat against a formidable Proteas bowling team in Kolkata in 1996.
In their first innings, South Africa amassed a massive 428 runs, in reply to which India were 77/3 when Azharuddin walked out to bat. He got injured and had to leave, but he returned later when India was in trouble and hit a quickfire century in just 74 deliveries, leading India to a total of 329 runs.
Unfortunately, India couldn’t win the match, but Azharuddin’s fighting knock was a big positive for them, it also was one of the fastest test centuries by an Indian.
1. Kapil Dev- 74 balls
Kapil Dev features once again in this list, and this time as the joint-fastest Indian to score a century in Test cricket. He carried off this feat in the first Test match between India and Sri Lanka at Kanpur in 1986. In their first innings, Sri Lanka scored 420 runs, while India were 399/5 when Kapil Dev arrived at the crease.
He embarked on a quest for the Sri Lankan fielders, blasting the ball to all parts of the field. He hit his century in just 74 balls, etching his name in the record books.
Kapil ended up hammering 163 runs off 165 deliveries, and he was instrumental for India to draw the match.
