Top 5 Fastest Centuries In Test Cricket By Indian Players
Since the introduction of T20 format, batsmen have changed their viewpoint in two of the oldest format (ODI and Test) of the game and like to score at a rapid pace. There was a time when scoring a century was always a hard nut to crack as the batsman had to work hard to get a three-figure mark in the longest format of the game. However, there have been players who used to be aggressive and play freely in the past.##
Scoring a century has always been pleasing for any batsman but when it comes in Test format it gives immense pleasure to any batsman. There are players at present time as well as in the past who like to be ahead by the time and play with an aggressive approach. India has produced and kept producing such players who could destroy any opposition on any given day. Here we take a look at some of the fastest Test centuries made by an Indian batsman.##
Here is the list of the fastest centuries by Indian batsmen in Tests (Top 5)##
1. Kapil Dev (74 balls, 1986, Kanpur) - Kapil Dev has been one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of Test. He holds the record of the fastest century in Test cricket by Indian batsman that he scored against Sri Lanka at the Green Park Stadium, Kanpur in 1986. Kapil Dev was the captain of the Indian team at that time and led India to win the series 2-0.##
He scored 163 runs off 165 balls with the strike rate of 98.78 including 19 fours and a six. The former Indian all-rounder and legend scored 5248 runs in 131 matches in his career. Apart from runs, he took 434 wickets.##
2. Mohammad Azharuddin (74 balls, 1997, Cape Town) - The former Indian captain who is mostly known for his stylish batting, the joint fastest centurion for India in the longest format of the game. Against South Africa in 1997 at Cape Town, the right-hander scored 115 off 110 balls with the strike rate 104.54 including 19 fours and 1 six. In the same match, Sachin Tendulkar who was the captain at that time, made 169 runs off 354 balls.##
Mohammad Azharuddin had played 99 Tests for India in which he scored 6215 runs with an average of 45.03. He has also scored 22 centuries along with 21 half-centuries in his long career.##
3. Virendra Sehwag (78 balls, 2006, St Lucia) - When it comes to scoring quick runs, Virendra Sehwag is one who has done it many times in his career. He is the only batsman in the world who has scored 5 Test centuries with more than 100 strike rate. Against West Indies in Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia, 2006, he registered his fastest century in Test cricket.##
He scored 180 runs off 190 balls with the strike rate of 94.74 including 20 fours and 2 sixes. The former Indian captain has played 104 matches and scored 8586 runs with the strike rate of 82.23 including 23 centuries (5th most by Indian players).##
4. Shikhar Dhawan (85 balls, 2013, Mohali) - There is Proverb in cricket that whenever 'opportunity strikes, grab it with both hands', and Shikhar Dhawan did excelity same against Australia in Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, 2013. He was lucky to get a chance to play as Virendra Sehwag was injured and he didn't waste it and scored the fastest century on Test debut.##
He hammered Australian attack and went on to score 187 off 174 balls including 33 fours and 2 sixes. His strike rate in that innings was 107.47. The second Test before Mohali Test was the last match for Virendra Sehwag at international level.##
5. Kapil Dev (86 balls, 1981, Kanpur) - Against England in 1981 at Kanpur Kapil Dev turmoil England's attack with a quick fire 116 off 98 balls. His strike rate during the innings was 118.36 with 16 fours and 2 sixes.##
Former Indian skipper, Kapil Dev, popularly known as ‘Haryana Hurricane’ for his aggressive style of batting and bowling has produced some great innings in his career and it was one of them when he hammered English bowlers all around the park.##
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