In the current Rajkot Test, Ben Duckett played an exceptional innings, scoring an unbeaten 133. India faced early setbacks on Day 2, losing overnight batsmen Kuldeep Yadav (4) and Ravindra Jadeja (112) quickly.
Later, Ravichandran Ashwin (37) and Dhruv Jurel (46) combined for a partnership of 77 runs for the eighth wicket, contributing to India’s total of 445 in 130.5 overs. Responding to India’s total, the English batsmen remained competitive, scoring 207 runs in less than two full sessions.
Duckett, especially, shone brightly with his aggressive innings. His dynamic display not only boosted his team’s optimism but also secured his position among the fastest Test centuries recorded by a visiting batsman in India.
Here are the 4 Quickest Test Centuries By A Visiting Batsman In India:
#1 Ross Taylor – 99 balls in Bengaluru in 2012
Ross Taylor delivered a captain’s performance during the inaugural day of the second Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru in 2012. The New Zealand team found themselves in a challenging situation at 89/3, but Taylor took charge, employing a counter-attacking strategy to nullify the effectiveness of the Indian spinners.
He adeptly executed slog-sweeps against Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha. The New Zealand skipper achieved his fifty in a mere 46 deliveries and consistently hit boundaries. He then completed his seventh Test century in just 99 balls, comprising 16 fours and a couple of sixes.
Taylor’s crucial innings of 113 played a pivotal role in establishing New Zealand’s first innings total of 365. Despite his efforts, India ultimately secured victory in the match by five wickets.
#2 Ben Duckett – 88 balls in Rajkot in 2024
Ben Duckett’s century in 88 balls in Rajkot demonstrated a masterful display of aggressive batting, reflecting the influence of the “BazBall” era in English Test cricket. On a slightly improved surface in Rajkot, Duckett exhibited confidence and punished the Indian bowlers, who appeared powerless against his authoritative strokeplay.
Duckett’s century is now the quickest by an English player against India in Tests and the third fastest by a visiting batsman in India. His outstanding innings comprised 21 fours and two sixes.
Having amassed 264 runs in the current tour, the English opener stands unbeaten at 133 from just 118 deliveries. The visitors hope Duckett can prolong his dominant performance on Day 3, propelling England into a commanding position in the Test.
#3 Clive Lloyd – 85 balls in Bengaluru in 1974
Securing the second spot on the list is the renowned West Indies legend, Sir Clive Lloyd. His exceptional batting skills and strategic captaincy had a lasting impact on West Indies cricket.
The left-handed batsman particularly enjoyed facing India, where he recorded seven Test centuries, including an 85-ball century in Bengaluru in 1974. In the first game of the five-match Test series, entering the crease at 75/3, Lloyd launched a relentless attack on the Indian bowlers, delivering a flurry of powerful strokes.
Even as wickets fell, Lloyd maintained his dominance, achieving a century in a record-breaking 85 balls – the fastest by a West Indian at that time and the second-fastest ever in Tests on Indian soil.
#4 Adam Gilchrist – 84 balls in Mumbai in 2001
Regarded as one of the finest wicketkeepers in the history of the game, Adam Gilchrist holds the record for the fastest Test century by a visiting batsman against India. This remarkable achievement took place during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in 2001 when Gilchrist reached a century in just 84 balls.
India scored 176 in the first innings. Australia struggled at 99/5, but a partnership between Matthew Hayden and Gilchrist rescued them. Known for his aggressive style, Gilchrist showcased a dazzling power-hitting performance, consistently hitting boundaries.
Hayden scored 119 with singles, while Gilchrist reached a century in 84 balls with aggressive boundary-hitting, placing Australia in a strong position. The left-hander was eventually stumped by Harbhajan Singh after scoring 122.
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