Indian captain Shubman Gill continued his sensational run with the bat by smashing an unbeaten 129 off 196 balls on Day 2 of the second Test against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. His innings, decorated with 16 fours and two sixes, helped India declare their innings at 518/5. This knock marked his 10th Test century — his first against the West Indies and fifth at home.
With this, the 26-year-old joined Virat Kohli as the only Indian captains to score five Test centuries in a calendar year. Having already scored 754 runs in 10 innings during the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Gill has established himself as a dependable No. 4 batter. His feat of 10 Test hundreds has also placed him ahead of several legendary Indian batters, including Gautam Gambhir, MS Dhoni, Kapil Dev, Shikhar Dhawan, and Navjot Singh Sidhu.
#1 Gautam Gambhir – The Gritty Opener Who Shone Briefly But Brightly
Gautam Gambhir entered the Indian team in 2004 as a promising left-handed opener. He scored his maiden Test century against Bangladesh in only his fifth Test but had to wait four long years for his next one. Gambhir’s best phase came in 2008 and 2009, where he scored seven centuries in just two years, including over 1,000 runs in 2008 alone. His consistency earned him the ICC Test Player of the Year award in 2009.
However, after his ninth century against Bangladesh in 2010, his form dipped, and he couldn’t score another hundred until his final Test in 2016. Overall, Gambhir played 54 Tests, scoring 4,154 runs at an average of 41.95, including nine centuries and 22 half-centuries. Despite his decline, his impact as a match-winning opener during India’s golden era remains unforgettable.
#2 MS Dhoni – The Captain Cool Who Mastered The Lower Order
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, one of India’s greatest captains, was also a reliable Test batter despite often batting with tail-enders. He made his Test debut in 2005 and scored his first hundred — a spectacular 148 against Pakistan in Faisalabad in 2006. Known for his composure under pressure, Dhoni went on to score six centuries in his 90-Test career.
His best performance came against Australia in 2013, when he struck a massive 224 at Chennai, one of the finest innings by an Indian wicketkeeper. Although Dhoni’s average of 38.09 might seem modest, it’s notable that he often batted at No. 7, where opportunities for big scores were limited. He finished with 4,876 runs, 33 fifties, and six hundreds. Dhoni retired from Test cricket during the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, leaving behind a legacy of calm leadership and invaluable middle-order contributions.
#3 Kapil Dev – The All-Round Genius Who Balanced Bat And Ball
Kapil Dev, India’s World Cup-winning captain, remains one of the finest all-rounders in cricket history. Playing from 1979 to 1993, he was known for his fearless batting and ability to rescue India from tough situations. Kapil scored his maiden Test century against the mighty West Indies in 1979 and later produced memorable knocks in England and South Africa.
In 131 Tests, he amassed 5,248 runs at an average of 31.05, including eight centuries and 27 half-centuries. His highest score, 163 against Sri Lanka, showcased his attacking intent. Often batting at No. 7 or No. 8, Kapil rarely had the luxury of building long innings but still made a significant mark. Alongside his batting, he took 434 wickets, making him one of the most complete cricketers of all time.
#4 Shikhar Dhawan – The Stylish Southpaw Who Impressed In Spurts
Shikhar Dhawan burst onto the Test scene in 2013 with a record-breaking debut, scoring 187 against Australia at Mohali. Known for his aggressive stroke play, the left-hander carried his white-ball confidence into the longer format. He followed up his debut heroics with massive knocks of 173 against Bangladesh and 190 against Sri Lanka.
However, inconsistency and competition from other openers limited his Test appearances. Despite his short stint, Dhawan played some memorable innings, especially in subcontinental conditions. In 34 Tests, he scored 2,315 runs at an average of 40.61, including seven centuries and five fifties. His last Test hundred came against Afghanistan in 2018, after which he focused mainly on limited-overs cricket.
#5 Navjot Singh Sidhu – The Aggressive Batter Who Evolved Into A Run Machine
Navjot Singh Sidhu represented India in Tests from 1983 to 1999, becoming a key figure in the top order. After a slow start, he found his rhythm in the early 1990s, displaying a blend of aggression and patience. Sidhu scored his first century — 116 against New Zealand — five years after his debut and soon became known for his solid technique against both pace and spin.
He notched his first overseas hundred in the West Indies in 1989 and enjoyed his best form in 1997, scoring 720 runs with three centuries that year. In 51 Tests, Sidhu compiled 3,202 runs at an average of 42.13, including nine centuries and 15 fifties. His highest score of 201 came against the West Indies, reflecting his ability to build big innings. Though his career ended before the 2000s, Sidhu’s fearless approach and passion for the game left an enduring mark on Indian cricket.
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