August 15, India's Independence Day, is a day of pride and celebration for the nation. On the cricket field, too, this date holds special memories for Indian fans. To date, two Indian batsmen have achieved the feat of scoring a century in international cricket on August 15: Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. However, these achievements were recorded in different formats; Virat Kohli scored an ODI century against the West Indies in 2019, while Devdutt Padikkal smashed his maiden Test century against Sri Lanka on August 15, 2026.
1. Virat Kohli
When discussing centuries in Indian cricket on Independence Day, Virat Kohli is the first name that comes to mind. During the 2019 tour of the West Indies, the final match of the three-game ODI series was played in Port of Spain. The match was affected by rain; having started on August 14, it extended into August 15 (according to Indian Standard Time). In this match, Virat Kohli played a magnificent innings and scored an unbeaten century.
Batting first, the West Indies scored 240 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 35 overs. Due to rain, India was set a revised target of 255 runs in 35 overs. Although India did not get off to a good start, Virat Kohli steadied the innings. Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 114 off 99 balls, including 14 fours. He guided India to the target by forging crucial partnerships—first with Shikhar Dhawan and later with Shreyas Iyer. Shreyas Iyer also played a brisk innings of 65 runs. India won the match by 6 wickets, and Kohli was named 'Player of the Match' for his outstanding performance. With this innings, Kohli became the first Indian batsman to score an international century on August 15.
- Runs: 114*
- Balls: 99
- Fours: 14
- Strike Rate: 115.15
- Opponent: West Indies
- Format: ODI
- Venue: Port of Spain
- Result: India won by 6 wickets
2. Devdutt Padikkal
In 2026, following in the footsteps of Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal joined the list of Indian batsmen who have scored a century on Independence Day. Batting at number three on the opening day of the first Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle, Padikkal played a magnificent innings to complete his maiden Test century. Displaying great composure and excellent technique, he remained unbeaten on 131 off 178 balls at the close of play. This also marked the first century of his international career.
India finished the day with a strong score of 288/2, with Padikkal's innings being the highlight. He batted patiently against the Sri Lankan bowlers and impressed everyone with his footwork and shot selection, particularly against the spinners. This achievement was especially significant for Padikkal as it cemented his place in the Indian Test team following his comeback after a long hiatus. His innings also established him as a strong contender for the number three batting position.
- Runs: 131*
- Balls: 178
- Opponent: Sri Lanka
- Format: Test
- Venue: Galle
- Date: 15 August 2026
- Achievement: Maiden Test century
Difference between the achievements of Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal
Both Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal scored centuries on Independence Day, though these achievements came under different circumstances.
Virat Kohli’s century was scored in ODI cricket during a rain-affected match where India had to chase a revised target in 35 overs. Scoring at a brisk pace, he remained unbeaten on 114 and steered India to victory.
On the other hand, Devdutt Padikkal’s century came in Test cricket. He scored 131 runs while batting for an extended period in the conditions at Galle. His innings displayed a perfect blend of aggression and the patience and technique essential for Test cricket.
Why is August 15th special for Indian cricket?
August 15th is a historic day for India. It was on this day in 1947 that the country gained independence from British rule. Consequently, an Indian player scoring a century on this day holds profound emotional significance for the nation.
In India, cricket is more than just a sport millions of fans view the players' achievements as symbols of national pride. For this reason, a century scored on Independence Day is far more special than a typical career milestone. For a long time, Virat Kohli's 2019 innings stood as the only instance of this feat. In 2026, Devdutt Padikkal added his name to this exclusive list by scoring a century in Test cricket.
Also Read: Most Test matches played by teams in the history of cricket
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