3 Indian batsmen who scored the fastest centuries against West Indies in Test matches

Every batsman aspires to score a century as part of his career milestone, and if it is the fastest one, then it gets etched into the hearts and minds of the people.

There have been several players from India, who have scored the fastest century against various cricket playing nations in the Test cricket. Azharuddin scored a century against South Africa in 74 balls; Kapil Dev scored his ton against Sri Lanka in 74 balls, and so on.

I have discussed three Indian batsmen who scored the fastest century against the West Indies in the test matches.

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#3 Kapil Dev

His hundred comprised 13 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 105.26

They called him the “Haryana Hurricane.” He made his debut against Pakistan in 1978 and became one of the best all-rounders of the world.

Gavaskar once said the Indian cricket could be divided into two eras—one before Kapil and one after him. Such was his impact that the Indian team became an aggressive unit when they played against any opposition.

India won the 1983 World Cup under his captaincy where he played a marvelous inning of 175 not out against Zimbabwe.

Along with being a spectacular bowler, he was a fine batsman too. They knew him for scoring fast and taking risks.

While playing against the West Indies in Port of Spain, he scored a memorable century against the Caribbean side.

During the second innings of the match, India was struggling to save the match. He came in at number seven and attacked the West Indies bowling line-up with tenacity and aggression.

They had Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, and Malcolm Marshall in their ranks, but he played the exquisite square-cuts, off-drives, and hooks to counter the pace and seam.

He got to his hundred in 95 balls and remained not-out since India declared the innings. His hundred comprised 13 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 105.26.

#2 Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar was gifted with the technique and concentration which made him a very dangerous opener

Sunil Gavaskar was known as the “Little Master.” He made his test debut against West Indies in 1971 and throughout his career, scored heavily against them. They wrote a calypso in his praise.

He had all the strokes in his kitty and could play them with perfection. Gavaskar was gifted with the technique and concentration which made him a very dangerous opener. They considered him as the best opener of all time. People often criticized him of playing slow, but he still ranks second amongst the players scoring the fastest century against West Indies.

This was in Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi where India was put into bat first. Gavaskar opened the innings with Anshuman Gaikawad and started the assault from the word ‘go’.

The West Indies bowling comprised Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, Winston Davis, and Wayne Daniel. The wicket was green, but it did not deter him. Instead, he played the straight drives, pulls and hooks, on-drives, and square-cuts to perfection.

Malcolm Marshall was at his prime and considered the most dangerous fast bowler of that time. His bouncers from round-the-wicket were lethal, but Gavaskar played the hooks to perfection, piercing the fielders at fine-leg, repeatedly.

He reached his century in 94 balls and was ultimately bowled out by Larry Gomes for 121. The innings comprised 15 fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 94.53.

This century marked his career’s 29th ton, and he went past Donald Bradman’s record of 28 centuries.

#1 Virender Sehwag

Sehwag plundered the bowling attack of the Caribbean team by playing the beautiful straight-drives, on-drives, and cuts

Virender Sehwag was known as the “Nawab of Najafgarh.” He made his debut in 2001 against South Africa.

Sehwag was an attacking batsman who liked to dominate the bowlers. What he lacked in the technique, he made it up with his beautiful ‘hand-eye’ coordination. He made batting look simple and hence became one of the best openers of all time.

He scored a ton against the West Indies at Gros Islet in 2006. India was asked to bat first, and they posted a humongous total of 588/8. Sehwag plundered the bowling attack of the Caribbean team by playing the beautiful straight-drives, on-drives, and cuts.

They had Dwayne Bravo, Jerome Taylor, and Pedro Collins as their pace bowlers. Not one to be bogged down, he scored his century in 78 balls. Sehwag got out at 180 of 190 balls which comprised 20 fours and two sixes.