In the storied history of Test cricket, few achievements are as remarkable as scoring centuries in both innings of a single match. Known as “twin centuries,” this feat demands extraordinary skill, concentration, and resilience. Test cricket, the longest format of the game, challenges batters with its grueling five-day duration, fluctuating pitch conditions, and relentless bowling attacks. To score 100 or more runs in each of a team’s two innings is a testament to a player’s mastery over these challenges. As of June 2025, this milestone has been achieved by 78 players on 96 occasions, with only three cricketers—India’s Sunil Gavaskar, Australia’s Ricky Ponting, and David Warner—accomplishing it three times. This article delves into the history of this rare achievement, highlighting key players, notable instances, and statistical insights, complete with two detailed tables for reference.
The Origins of Twin Centuries
The first player to score centuries in both innings of a Test match was Australia’s Warren Bardsley, who achieved the feat against England in August 1909 at The Oval. Bardsley’s scores of 136 and 130 in a drawn Ashes Test set the benchmark for this extraordinary accomplishment. His performance demonstrated the patience and technical prowess required to dominate bowlers across two innings, a feat that was particularly challenging on the uncovered pitches of that era. Since Bardsley’s landmark achievement, twin centuries have remained a rare and celebrated milestone, with players from all major Test-playing nations (except Ireland and Afghanistan) contributing to the list.
The Elite Trio: Gavaskar, Ponting, and Warner
Sunil Gavaskar, Ricky Ponting, and David Warner stand alone as the only players to have scored twin centuries on three occasions, showcasing their consistency and dominance in Test cricket.
- Sunil Gavaskar (India): The legendary Indian opener was the first to achieve twin centuries thrice. His first instance came in 1971 against the West Indies in Trinidad, where he scored 124 and 220, helping India secure a draw. In 1978, he repeated the feat twice—against the West Indies in Kolkata (107 and 182*) and Pakistan in Karachi (111 and 137). Gavaskar’s ability to anchor innings against formidable pace and spin attacks cemented his status as one of India’s greatest batters.
- Ricky Ponting (Australia): Australia’s former captain showcased his aggressive batting style with twin centuries in three Tests. His first came against the West Indies in 2005 (149 and 104*), followed by two against South Africa in 2006 (120 and 143* at Sydney, then 103 and 116 at Durban). Ponting’s performances were instrumental in Australia’s victories, highlighting his ability to dominate under pressure.
- David Warner (Australia): The explosive Australian opener is the only active player (as of June 2025) with three twin centuries. His first was against South Africa in 2014 (135 and 145), followed by a thrilling performance against India in 2014 (145 and 102), where Virat Kohli also scored twin centuries in the same match. Warner’s third came against another opponent, showcasing his adaptability across conditions.
Other Notable Performers
Beyond the trio, 12 players have scored twin centuries twice, including cricketing giants like Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), Jacques Kallis (South Africa), and Herbert Sutcliffe (England). Sangakkara’s twin centuries against Bangladesh in 2013 (142 and 105) and 2014 (319 and 105) included a triple century, making him one of only two players (alongside England’s Graham Gooch) to achieve a triple century and a century in the same Test. Gooch’s 456-run aggregate (333 and 123 against India in 1990) remains the highest match total by a player with twin centuries, earning a place in The Guinness Book of Records.
India has produced seven players who have scored twin centuries, with Sunil Gavaskar leading the pack. The others are:
- Vijay Hazare: The first Indian to achieve the feat, scoring 116 and 145 against Australia in 1948 at Adelaide, despite India’s loss.
- Rahul Dravid: Known as “The Wall,” Dravid scored twin centuries twice—against New Zealand in 1999 (190 and 103*) and Pakistan in 2005, contributing to an Indian victory.
- Virat Kohli: Kohli’s 115 and 141 against Australia in 2014 at Adelaide was a captain’s knock, though India fell short in a thrilling chase.
- Ajinkya Rahane: Rahane joined the list with twin centuries against an opponent, showcasing his elegance and grit.
- Rohit Sharma: The modern-day maestro scored twin centuries, adding to India’s rich legacy in this domain.
- Rishabh Pant: In June 2025, Pant became the first Indian to score twin centuries against England in England, a historic achievement celebrated widely.
Rare Instances and Records
Twin centuries have produced several unique records. Six matches have seen two players achieve the feat simultaneously, including Denis Compton (England) and Arthur Morris (Australia) in 1947, and Virat Kohli (India) and David Warner (Australia) in 2014. Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower is the only designated wicket-keeper to score twin centuries, while Australia’s Phillip Hughes, at 20 years and 98 days, is the youngest to achieve the feat, set against South Africa in 2009.
England’s Joe Root recently joined the elite list at Lord’s in 2024, scoring 143 and 103 against Sri Lanka, adding his name to the iconic Lord’s honours board. The feat is particularly revered at Lord’s, where only four players—George Headley, Graham Gooch, Michael Vaughan, and Root—have scored twin centuries.
The distribution of twin centuries reflects the dominance of certain teams. Australia leads with 26 instances, followed by England (20) and India (10). The feat has been achieved against all major Test-playing nations, with West Indies and England being frequent opponents. The 21st century has seen a slight increase in occurrences, possibly due to flatter pitches and modern batting techniques, but the achievement remains rare, occurring roughly once every 25 Tests.
Players with Multiple Twin Centuries in Test Cricket
| Player | Country | Instances | Years and Opponents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunil Gavaskar | India | 3 | 1971 (West Indies), 1978 (West Indies, Pakistan) |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | 3 | 2005 (West Indies), 2006 (South Africa x2) |
| David Warner | Australia | 3 | 2014 (South Africa, India), [Third instance TBD] |
| Herbert Sutcliffe | England | 2 | 1925 (Australia), 1929 (South Africa) |
| Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 2 | 2013, 2014 (Bangladesh) |
| Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 2 | [Instances TBD] |
| [Other 9 players] | Various | 2 | [Details vary; includes Border, Chappell, etc.] |
Notable Firsts and Unique Records in Twin Centuries
| Record | Player | Details |
|---|---|---|
| First Twin Centuries | Warren Bardsley | 136 & 130 vs England, 1909 |
| Youngest to Achieve | Phillip Hughes | 115 & 160 vs South Africa, 2009 (20y, 98d) |
| Highest Match Aggregate | Graham Gooch | 333 & 123 vs India, 1990 (456 runs) |
| Only 150+ in Both Innings | Allan Border | 150* & 153 vs Pakistan, 1980 |
| Only Not Out in Both Innings | Aravinda de Silva | Scores vs Pakistan |
| Only Debutants | Lawrence Rowe, Yasir Hameed | Rowe: 214 & 100* (1972); Hameed: 170 & 105 (2003) |
| Only Wicket-Keeper | Andy Flower | Scores vs South Africa |
The Significance of Twin Centuries
Scoring twin centuries is more than a statistical milestone; it reflects a batter’s ability to adapt to changing conditions, overcome fatigue, and maintain focus over multiple days. Unlike limited-overs formats, Test cricket demands mental fortitude to rebuild innings against fresh bowling attacks. The rarity of the feat—occurring only 96 times in over 2,000 Tests—underscores its prestige.
Modern players like David Warner and Joe Root continue to add to this legacy, while Rishabh Pant’s recent heroics in 2025 highlight the enduring allure of Test cricket. As pitches evolve and bowling strategies advance, twin centuries remain a pinnacle of batting achievement, celebrated by fans and etched into cricket’s rich history.
In Summary
The list of players who have scored centuries in both innings of a Test match is a who’s who of cricketing greatness. From Warren Bardsley’s pioneering effort to Rishabh Pant’s historic performance, these batters have showcased the artistry and endurance that define Test cricket. With only 78 players achieving the feat in nearly 150 years, twin centuries remain a rare jewel in the sport’s crown, inspiring future generations to chase immortality with the bat.
