Most Centuries by Indian Batters in Test History

Test cricket is the purest form of the game, where patience, technique, and mental strength are tested across five intense days. For Indian cricket, the format has always produced legends—batters who’ve stood tall in tough conditions and delivered some of the most iconic knocks. Over the decades, many Indian greats have crafted unforgettable innings, but only a few have etched their names in history with remarkable consistency.

In this blog, we take a look at the players with the most centuries by Indian batters in Test history, their records, and how they defined eras with their batting brilliance.

1. Sachin Tendulkar – 51 Centuries

No surprises here. The Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar, leads the charts with a staggering 51 Test centuries, the most not just for India, but in the history of Test cricket. His career, spanning 24 years, was filled with record-breaking achievements, but his love for the red-ball game always stood out.

• Matches: 200
  
  

• Innings: 329
  
  

• Centuries: 51
  
  

• Runs: 15,921
  
  

• Average: 53.78
  
  

• Highest score: 248* vs Bangladesh
  
  

Tendulkar’s centuries came against all major nations and in all conditions—whether it was Perth, Sydney, Cape Town, or Chennai. His adaptability, discipline, and hunger for runs made him the gold standard for Indian batters in Tests.

2. Rahul Dravid – 36 Centuries

Known as ‘The Wall’, Rahul Dravid was the backbone of India’s batting lineup for over a decade. With 36 Test centuries, he ranks second on the list of most centuries by Indian batters in Test history. Dravid was India’s go-to man in difficult overseas tours, often grinding down the best bowling attacks in the world.

• Matches: 164
  
  

• Innings: 286
  
  

• Centuries: 36
  
  

• Runs: 13,288
  
  

• Average: 52.31
  
  

• Highest score: 270 vs Pakistan
  
  

Some of Dravid’s best innings came outside India—Adelaide 2003, Headingley 2002, and Rawalpindi 2004—proving his status as India’s best overseas Test batter.

3. Sunil Gavaskar – 34 Centuries

Sunil Gavaskar was the first true batting giant in Indian cricket. Facing the fiercest of West Indian pace attacks without helmets, Gavaskar’s fearless technique earned him respect across the world. He was also the first batter in the world to score 10,000 Test runs.

• Matches: 125
  
  

• Innings: 214
  
  

• Centuries: 34
  
  

• Runs: 10,122
  
  

• Average: 51.12
  
  

• Highest score: 236* vs West Indies
  
  

Gavaskar held the world record for most Test centuries for nearly two decades. His dominance in the 1970s and 80s laid the foundation for India’s future batting greats.

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4. Virat Kohli – 29 Centuries

Modern-day great Virat Kohli has redefined aggression, fitness, and consistency in Test cricket. With 29 centuries to his name (as of July 2025), Kohli ranks fourth among players with the most centuries by Indian batters in Test history. He’s still going strong and could climb further up this list.

• Matches: 115+
  
  

• Innings: 195+
  
  

• Centuries: 29
  
  

• Runs: 8,800+
  
  

• Average: 49.5+
  
  

• Highest score: 254* vs South Africa
  
  

Kohli’s ability to dominate both home and overseas conditions—especially his centuries in England, Australia, and South Africa—cements his place as one of India’s finest Test batters.

5. Virender Sehwag – 23 Centuries

Known for his fearless and explosive approach, Virender Sehwag was a game-changer in Test cricket. Despite his limited footwork, Sehwag’s hand-eye coordination and instinctive strokeplay earned him 23 Test centuries, many of which came at lightning speed.

• Matches: 104
  
  

• Innings: 180
  
  

• Centuries: 23
  
  

• Runs: 8,586
  
  

• Average: 49.34
  
  

• Highest score: 319 vs South Africa
  
  

Sehwag remains the only Indian to score two triple centuries in Test cricket (309 vs Pakistan and 319 vs South Africa), a feat that speaks volumes about his fearless mindset.

Other Notable Mentions

Cheteshwar Pujara – 19 Centuries

Known for his solid technique and patience, Pujara has played many crucial innings in challenging conditions, especially during India’s overseas victories.

Mohammad Azharuddin – 22 Centuries

An elegant batter with a flair for stroke play, Azharuddin was a key figure in Indian cricket during the 90s.

VVS Laxman – 17 Centuries

Laxman may not have the highest century count, but his knocks—especially the 281 vs Australia in 2001—are considered among the finest in Test history.

Why Centuries in Tests Matter More

In Test cricket, scoring a century isn’t just about numbers—it’s about endurance, skill, and mental toughness. The conditions are tougher, bowlers are relentless, and the margin for error is smaller. That’s why those who have scored the most centuries by Indian batters in Test history are held in such high regard.

These centuries have often led India to historic wins, rescued games from losing positions, and shaped the very narrative of Indian cricket. Whether it's Tendulkar’s ton in Perth, Dravid’s double in Adelaide, or Kohli’s century at Edgbaston—each century carries a story of its own.

Final Thoughts

The history of Indian Test cricket is decorated with iconic centuries from legends who redefined the art of batting. From Sachin Tendulkar’s world-record 51 centuries to Virat Kohli’s modern-day dominance, the evolution of India’s batting strength is clear and inspiring.

These players not only scored big but also inspired millions to dream big. The journey of Indian cricket continues, and with rising stars like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal coming up, the list of most centuries by Indian batters in Test history is bound to grow in the coming years.

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