Test cricket is the oldest format of cricket. Test cricket usually consists of 5 days where each team gets to bat twice, and each day has 90 overs to be bowled maximum. Test cricket is also a test of a players stamina and patience, and also an excellent opportunity to increase their defensive playing. Due to its long format, test cricket is also a batter paradise, as he has many balls to play and get a huge score. Here, we look at the top batters who took this opportunity and scored the most test centuries.
1. Sourav Ganguly – 16 Centuries
Sourav Ganguly is a former captain of team India. Ganguly played 113 matches for India between 1996 and 2008. Ganguly was a highly skilled batsman, known for his elegant stroke play and ability to score runs quickly. Ganguly scored over 7000 runs in test cricket. Ganguly has 16 centuries in test cricket.
2. VVS Laxman – 17 Centuries
VVS Laxman played for India from 1996 to 2012. Laxman is known for his fluid style and aggressive batting. Laxman batted at nearly every position, and he was most comfortable in middle-order. Laxman was able to save and win numerous matches with the support of a low-order batter. Laxman played 134 test matches, and he packed up 17 centuries.
3. Dilip Vengsarkar – 17 Centuries
Dilip Vengsarkar is one of the cricketers who won the 1983 World Cup. Dilip is a veteran cricketer. Dilip played for team India between 1976 and 1992. Dilip was a key player in Indian batting in the late 70s. Dilip also has scored consecutive centuries in three test matches at Lords. Dilip played 116 test matches for India and grabbed 17 centuries in them.
4. Cheteshwar Pujara – 19 Centuries
Chesterwar Pujara is a well-renowned test batter in India. Pujara is known for his disciplined batting style. Pujara made his test debut against Australia in 2010. Due to his patience in test matches, he is also considered the best player to play in long format of cricket. Pujara has played 103 game for team India and has 19 centuries in his career.
5. Mohammed Azharuddin – 22 Centuries
Azharuddin played 99 test matches for India. Azharuddin was known for his wristy strokeplay. Azharuddin made his test debut for India in 1984 against England in Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Azhar was simply a magician batsman. He scored 22 centuries for team India.
6. Virender Sehwag – 23 Centuries
Virender Sehwag is widely regarded as one of the most destructive openers. Sehwag technique is often cited as being particularly unorthodox. Sehwag is also an excellent player of late cut. Sehwag is also described as the most exciting opener in the world. Sehwag has played 103 test matches for India. Sehwag was the first Indian to score a triple hundred for team India in a test match. Sehwag has 23 centuries in test career.
7. Virat Kohli – 29 Centuries
Virat Kohli is regarded as one the best batter that India has ever produced. Kohli is often compared to the god of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, which is also an achievement. Kohli is an elegant and classy player, who plays according to the game’s situation. Kohli is also considered the best test captain for Team India. Kohli has played 111 test matches for team India. Kohli has 29 centuries in test cricket, the highest by any active player.
8. Sunil Gavaskar – 34 Centuries
Sunil Gavaskar is one of the greatest opening batsmen of all time. Gavaskar was also a fine fielder, and became the first Indian to take over a hundred catches in test cricket, excluding wicket-keeper. Gavaskar was also the first Test player to make over 10,000 runs. Gavaskar made his test debut against the then-mighty West Indies team in 1971. Gavaskar scored 34 centuries in his test career.
9. Rahul Dravid – 36 Centuries
Rahul Dravid is also known as “The Wall’, because of his extraordinary technique in test cricket. Rahul is widely regarded as the best test batter. Dravid is the fourth-highest run scorer in test cricket. Dravid has a unique record of never getting out for a golden duck in his entire test career. Dravid has played 163 test matches for team India and has faced more than 31,000 balls, which is the most number of balls faced by anyone in test cricket.
10. Sachin Tendulkar – 51 Centuries
Sachin Tendulkar is a batter who you will find in every batting record you will search for. Sachin is the best cricketer who has ever played for Team India. Sachin has played 200 test matches for team India, which is the highest by anyone. Sachin started his test career in 1989 against Pakistan at sixteen. Sachin had an incredibly long career of 24 years. Sachin scored 51 centuries in test cricket, the highest by anyone, and no one is anywhere close to breaking this record.
