Top 5 centuries by Indian batsmen in Australia

Scoring runs in Australia is always a daunting task. Even some of the world’s best have struggled to make a name for themselves down under and Indian batsman are no exception. However, there have been some iconic knocks that will be long remembered by cricket fans for specific reasons. With India’s younger lot all set to enter the tour of Australia and hope to set some records straight, let us recall the five best centuries scored by the Indian greats in the testing conditions of Australia:

#5 113 - Sunil Gavaskar, Brisbane, 1977

The Indian opener’s 113 nearly won the game for India in the fourth innings of the Test at the Gabba. Chasing a difficult total of 341, India lost Dilip Vengsarkar early. Gavaskar then added valuable partnerships of 81 and 59 with Mohinder Amarnath and Gundappa Vishwanath respectively, setting India on the way to a highly improbable win.

However, the Australians continued to prize out the Indian wickets and Gavaskar eventually fell for 113. The scoreboard read 243/6 by the time of Gavaskar’s dismissal and India did manage to get to 324. A laudable effort in the final innings of a Test, especially at Brisbane, yet, defeat could not be avoided.

Australia won by 16 runs as Bishan Singh Bedi remained unbeaten on 26. Syed Kirmani’s 55 went in vain too.

#4 114 - Sachin Tendulkar, Perth, 1992

The batting great helped himself to a fine century against all odds, as an 18-year old on a bouncy Perth wicket, carrying on from his unbeaten knock of 148 earlier in the series. Responding to Australia’s 346 in the fifth and final Test of the tour, Tendulkar scored 114 out of the team total of 272.

The 161-ball innings was studded with 17 fours as the final fifty came off just 55 balls on the third morning of the Test. The youngster was the 9th wicket to fall at 240, after adding 81 with Kiran More.

Notably, Kapil Dev captured his 400th Test wicket in the second innings. India folded for 141 in the chase of 442 on Day 5, losing the series 4-0.

#3 195 - Virender Sehwag, Melbourne, 2003

If you had not witnessed or heard of this innings before, you wouldn’t believe me if I say that Sehwag did not even bat a full day to make 195 down under. Or perhaps, because it’s Sehwag, you would!

The dashing opener was only there at the crease for 78.3 overs when he holed out to long-on, off a Simon Katich full-toss, trying to repeat his six off the previous delivery. It can be said that the Delhi cricketer achieved something beyond anyone’s expectation as he completed his innings on the first day of the third Test. When the batsman left the field, he had blasted 5 sixes and 25 fours in his kncok that lasted for 312 minutes.

Yes, he was hit on the helmet twice, survived a couple of chances and a close call, yet, there was no stopping the maverick batsman’s aggressive instincts. It was indeed a breath taking performance as he stunned everyone and gave India hopes of a series win, after earning a 1-0 lead at Adelaide.

When asked whether about the dismissal and missing out on a deserving double century, Sehwag said after the day’s play: "Not at all. It was a loose ball, and it's in my nature to hit the loose balls."

Australia got the better of India by 9 wickets in the end, courtesy, Ricky Ponting’s 257 in the first innings.

#2 241* - Sachin Tendulkar, Sydney, 2004

The Master Blaster had only managed 82 runs from the previous six innings of the series when he produced a gem of an innings at Sydney, that ranks as one of the best in his illustrious career, helping India to a series draw in the 2003/04 tour.

The prolific right-hander remained unbeaten as India declared at 705/7. The Mumbaikar stitched a 353-run 4th wicket partnership with VVS Laxman (178), helping India post a massive total in the series decider. It is fascinating to find out that the technically strong batsman did not score a single boundary through the covers nor stroked a single six in the entire innings.

Such a well composed, predetermined innings from the batsman put India on the driving seat. 33 boundaries were scored from the blade of Tendulkar. The player also made an unbeaten 60 in the second innings to set Australia a daunting target of 443. Australia made 357/6 as the match ended in stalemate.

#1 233 - Rahul Dravid, Adelaide, 2003

For any side, beating Australia in their own backyard is the most sought after achievement and India made history at the Adelaide Oval in 2003 by triumphing over Steve Waugh’s men by 4-wickets. The match will forever be remembered by every Indian fan for the majestic, determined, classic batting display of Rahul Dravid in both the innings of the Test.

After a rain-hit draw in the first Test, India gazed at a mighty Australian total of 556 as Ricky Ponting made 242. The match could have easily gone Australia’s way had not for the hard work and positivity of Dravid that kept India going with the company of VVS Laxman (148). Notably, the visitors lost Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly in space of 4 runs with the scoreboard reading 85/4 at one stage.

“Rahul batted like God,” was Ganguly’s remarks on the champion cricketer as he batted for 594 minutes, facing 446 demanding deliveries and was the last man to be dismissed with India only behind Australia by 33 runs in the first innings.

The right-hander’s marathon performance continued in the second innings (72*) as the great No.3 hit the winning runs with his trademark square cut, etching a memorable win. Even though the victory was only possible after Ajit Agarkar’s 6-fer on the 4th day and Laxman’s crucial knocks, Dravid’s performance remains special for his technique and temperament, exhibiting eye-catching timing under pressure.