Test cricket, the longest format of the game, is often considered the epitome of cricketing excellence, demanding immense patience, technique, and temperament from the batsmen. However, on rare occasions, some players manage to break the mold, combining their natural flair and attacking instincts to notch up centuries in record time. In this blog, we will delve into the fastest ten Test centuries scored by Indian batsmen, showcasing their explosive brilliance on the international stage.
| No. | Batsman | Balls Taken | Opponent | Final Score | Result | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kapil Dev | 74 | Sri Lanka | 163 | DRAW | Kanpur | 1986 |
| 2 | Mohammed Azharuddin | 74 | South Africa | 109 | LOST | Calcutta | 1996 |
| 3 | Virender Sehwag | 78 | West Indies | 180 | DRAW | Gros Islet | 2006 |
| 4 | Shikhar Dhawan | 85 | Australia | 187 | WON | Mohali | 2013 |
| 5 | Kapil Dev | 86 | England | 116 | DRAW | Kanpur | 1982 |
| 6 | Hardik Pandya | 86 | Sri Lanka | 108 | WON | Pallekele | 2017 |
| 7 | Mohammed Azharuddin | 87 | England | 121 | LOST | Lord's | 1990 |
| 8 | Virender Sehwag | 87 | Sri Lanka | 201 | WON | Galle | 2008 |
| 9 | Virender Sehwag | 87 | South Africa | 165 | WON | Kolkata | 2010 |
| 10 | Shikhar Dhawan | 87 | Afghanistan | 107 | WON | Bengaluru | 2018 |
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Kapil Dev, the legendary Indian all-rounder, was known for his aggressive style of play. In 1986, during a Test match against Sri Lanka in Kanpur, Kapil Dev treated the spectators to an exhilarating knock. He smashed a breathtaking century off just 74 balls, displaying his sheer dominance over the opposition bowlers. Despite his remarkable innings, the match ended in a draw, but Kapil's memorable century left an indelible mark on Indian cricket history.
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Mohammed Azharuddin, one of India's most stylish batsmen, showcased his quick-scoring abilities against South Africa in Calcutta in 1996. Azharuddin's whirlwind century off 74 balls was a sight to behold, as he dismantled the opposition's bowling attack with his impeccable timing and grace. However, India lost the match despite Azhar's heroic efforts, but his scintillating century remains etched in cricketing folklore.
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Virender Sehwag, the epitome of aggressive batting, lit up Gros Islet in 2006 with a stunning century off just 78 balls against the West Indies. Sehwag's fearless approach was on full display as he unleashed an array of attacking strokes to demoralize the Caribbean bowlers. Although the match ended in a draw, Sehwag's explosive innings left the cricketing world in awe of his batting prowess.
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Shikhar Dhawan, the left-handed opener, made a memorable Test debut against Australia in Mohali in 2013. Dhawan's cavalier style took center stage as he blazed his way to a scintillating century off just 85 balls. His fearless stroke play and confident demeanor set the tone for India's victory in the match. Dhawan's innings marked the arrival of a new attacking talent in Indian cricket.
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Kapil Dev makes another appearance on this list with his explosive century off 86 balls against England in Kanpur in 1982. The match ended in a draw, but Kapil's aggressive approach with the bat once again left cricket enthusiasts in awe. His ability to dismantle bowling attacks at such a rapid pace was a rare and thrilling sight during that era.
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Hardik Pandya, a dynamic all-rounder known for his power-hitting, etched his name into the record books in 2017 with a blistering century off 86 balls against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. Pandya's audacious stroke play and fearless attitude saw him take on the Sri Lankan bowlers, leading India to a resounding victory. His innings showcased the future potential of Indian cricket's explosive batting prowess.
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Mohammed Azharuddin's second entry on this list came in 1990 during a Test match at Lord's against England. Azharuddin's artistry and elegance were on full display as he reached his century in just 87 balls. Despite his valiant efforts, India fell short in the match, but Azharuddin's innings remained a masterpiece of classic stroke play.
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Virender Sehwag's second entry showcases his consistency and dominance in Test cricket. In 2008, during a Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle, Sehwag orchestrated a thrilling century off just 87 balls. His relentless aggression rattled the Sri Lankan bowlers and paved the way for India's victory in the match.
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Sehwag's third appearance on this list further solidified his reputation as one of India's most aggressive openers. In 2010, during a Test match against South Africa in Kolkata, Sehwag hammered a breathtaking century off 87 balls. His knock set the tone for India's triumph, displaying his exceptional ability to dominate the best bowling attacks.
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Shikhar Dhawan rounds off this illustrious list with his century against Afghanistan in 2018, which came off just 87 balls. Dhawan's authoritative strokes dismantled the Afghan bowling attack, leaving them helpless in the face of his aggression. India emerged victorious, and Dhawan's innings once again emphasized the team's batting depth.
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The fastest ten Test centuries scored by Indian batsmen reflect the country's evolution in approach and style in the longest format of the game. From Kapil Dev's aggressive flair to the fearless brilliance of Virender Sehwag and Shikhar Dhawan, these innings stand as shining examples of explosive batting in Test cricket. These players proved that, even in a format that demands patience and temperament, an attacking mindset can achieve remarkable success. As India continues to produce dynamic and talented batsmen, we can expect more fireworks on the Test stage in the years to come.
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