Scoring a Test century is one of the most precious achievements for most batsmen who dream to play for their country. India has been blessed to have witnessed some of the greatest Test players to ever play the game. Cricket is always regarded as a team sport and as a result not always does a Test century scored ends up in a winning cause. On occasions, individual heroics aren’t enough to cross the finishing line.
Here’s a look at 5 Indians who have scored most Test centuries in a losing cause:
1. Sachin Tendulkar – 11:
Sachin Tendulkar scored a total of 51 centuries in his Test career that spanned nearly 24 years. Master Blaster contributed in some of India’s most emphatic Test wins either at home or on foreign soil. However, on 11 occasions, Sachin’s century in a Test match ended up in a losing cause for India. India faced defeat on eight occasions in overseas conditions while three of his Test tons came in a losing cause in Indian conditions. Tendulkar’s century against Pakistan in Chennai Test in 1999 will remain as one of his most memorable efforts in a losing cause for India.
2. Mohammad Azharuddin – 7:
Former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin meant business as soon as he made his debut in Test cricket. With three consecutive centuries in his first three appearances in Test matches, Azharuddin sent clear signals of what was in store in form of the wristy Hyderabadi batsman. Out of his 22 Test hundreds for India, seven came in a losing cause for India. On four occasions, India was battered overseas while facing defeat thrice on their home soil.
3. Virat Kohli – 7:
Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli is counted as one among the contemporary greats in Test cricket. His records speak for himself as someone who averages 50+ with 27 centuries in mere 86 Test matches for India. While most of Kohli’s ton has seen India topple their opponents, on occasions, even the skipper has failed to take his team over the line. All of his seven Test century in losing cause were scored on away soil. While he continues to strive for excellence even in foreign conditions, he would hope to better India’s overseas records in Test cricket.
4. Sunil Gavaskar – 6:
The original ‘Little Master’, Sunil Gavaskar was one of India’s first batting hero for the generations to follow. His solid technique and the ability to score even against some of the most fearsome attacks of his time made him one of India’s greatest Test cricketers. Out of his 34 Test centuries scored for India, six came in a losing cause for his team. And as no surprise, all of his six hundred came in overseas conditions where he was left with no support at the other end to conquer the opposition in their own backyard.
5. Virender Sehwag – 5:
The flamboyant Indian opener Virender Sehwag changed the perception of how Test match batting was perceived thereafter in India. His ability to score runs freely made his one of the most dangerous Test openers of his time. While he featured in 27 lost Tests for India, Sehwag scored a total of five tons for the ‘Men in Blue’. His most memorable innings of 195 in a losing cause arrived at McG in 2003 against Australia.
