6 fastest centuries by Indian batsmen in Test cricket

#4 Shikhar Dhawan - 85 balls

Shikhar Dhawan has the 4th fastest Test century by an Indian batsman

Shikhar Dhawan has scored the fourth quickest ton by an Indian batsman in Test cricket. This century came off just 85 balls against Australia in March 2013.

The Indian team faced the Kangaroos in the 3rd Test match of Australia's tour to India at Mohali. The Australian captain Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to bat first.

The team from Down Under piled on a huge score of 408 runs in their first innings, with Mitchell Starc top-scoring with a 99-run knock. Shikhar Dhawan, who was making his Test debut, came out to open the batting with Murali Vijay.

While Vijay kept one end up, Dhawan was his attacking self. All the Australian bowlers were taken to the cleaners as Dhawan brought up his century in just 85 balls, the fastest ever century on Test debut and the fourth fastest overall by an Indian batsman.

There was no respite for the Australian bowlers even after that as the southpaw continued with the onslaught post his century. The Delhiite was finally dismissed for a breathtaking 187 runs, caught at silly point off Nathan Lyon.

These runs were scored off just 174 deliveries and included 33 fours and 2 maximums. The opening pair added a massive 289 runs, a record opening partnership for India against Australia, as India mustered a score of 499 in their first innings to take a lead of 91 runs.

Australia folded up for 223 runs in their second innings, with the Indian spinners bagging the majority of the wickets. India easily chased down the 133-run target with 6 wickets in hand, although Dhawan could not bat in the second innings due to an injured finger.

Shikhar Dhawan was awarded the Man of the Match for his smashing debut.

#OnThisDay in 2013, Shikhar Dhawan announces himself with the fastest century on Test debut! https://t.co/4LKavhTBwL pic.twitter.com/5CuzWDCpZL

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 18, 2018

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#3 Virender Sehwag - 78 balls

Virender Sehwag smashed the third fastest century by an Indian batsman in Test cricket

The record for the third fastest Test century by an Indian batsman belongs to Virender Sehwag. He did so with a 78-ball ton against West Indies in June 2006.

The Indian team took on West Indies in the 2nd Test match of their tour to the Caribbean at Gros Islet. The Indian captain Rahul Dravid won the toss and opted to bat first.

Virender Sehwag walked in to open the batting with Wasim Jaffer. The Nawab of Najafgarh went on the attack right from the outset and missed out on scoring a century before lunch by just one run.

He duly completed his century, the third quickest by an Indian batsman in Tests, with a single off the third delivery after lunch. Although India lost a couple of quick wickets in the form of Jaffer and VVS Laxman, Sehwag continued on his merry way in the company of Rahul Dravid.

The dynamic opener was finally dismissed for 180 runs from 190 deliveries, the knock studded with 20 fours and 2 sixes. India declared their first innings at the score of 588/8 with Dravid and Mohammad Kaif also scoring centuries.

Although West Indies were bowled out for 215 runs in their first innings and were asked to follow-on, they held on for a draw by scoring 294/7 from 119 overs in the 2nd innings. The great Brian Lara provided stubborn resistance with a 120-run knock that consumed 307 deliveries.

Virender Sehwag was deservedly chosen as the Man of the Match for his dominating innings.