Test format has been famous for being a game of patience. You won’t see batsmen batting with strike-rates on 150-200, etc. Innings are built gradually and carefully. So it comes off as a surprise when someone blasts their way to a century using big strokes. There are no complaints though, as such innings provide a lot of excitement. In today’s piece, we will take a look at the 5 fastest test hundreds by an Indian in the Test format.
#5. Kapil Dev and Hardik Pandya (86 balls)
Kapil Dev, the great Indian captain, and Hardik Pandya, the young sensation are tied at the fifth spot, with both hitting tons off 86 balls. Pandya achieved this feat enroute his maiden Test century while playing against Sri Lanka. Kapil Dev recorded this feat while playing against England in 1981/82. These two are serious contenders to become the greatest all-rounders that the Indian team has ever had.
#4. Shikhar Dhawan (85 balls)
Shikhar Dhawan created history when he hit the fastest century by an Indian on debut. He scored 104 from 85 balls against Australia at Mohali. The century was a huge signal to the world about Dhawan’s capabilities. Dhawan has since become a regular fixture in the Indian batting line-up.
Dhawan hit his century in a single session. The Australia pacers were taken by surprise by the the talented southpaw as he demolished them, hitting them all over the park. His knock consisted of 21 boundaries.
#3. Virender Sehwag (78 balls)
It would be a disservice to this list if Virender Sehwag didn’t make the cut. Sehwag has long made his name as one of India’s most destructive batsmen ever. He hit the third fastest Test century ever against West Indies when India toured the islands in 2006/07. India reached a mammoth total of 588 because of the exploits of Sehwag, who stayed at the crease for a combined 287 minutes. He hit 20 fours and 2 sixes from 190 balls in his time at the crease.
#2. Mohammed Azharuddin (74 Balls)
Mohammad Azharuddin, the former Indian captain comes in at number 2, hitting a ton in just 74 balls. While Sachin Tendulkar also hit a century in the same match, Azharuddin’s explosive batting was the highlight of the game. He remained at the crease for 132 minutes, he hit 18 fours and a solitary six. While India lost the match by a heavy margin of 329 runs, the game will always be remembered for the former captain’s destructive exploits.
#1. Kapil Dev (74 balls)
Kapil Dev comes in again at the top, this time reaching the 100 mark off 74 balls. This awesome knock came when India battled Sri Lanka in the 1986-87 Test series. Dev battered the opposition in his trademark style, hitting 19 fours and a single six. He made 163 runs from 165 balls in his 240-minute stay in the center. This knock cemented Dev as one of the most dependable players in the team.
