5 Australians with most Test centuries vs India ft. Steve Smith
The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy is slated to kick off at the Optus Stadium in Perth on November 22. Over the last five years, India and Australia have been the two most consistent Test sides, and the five-Test affair could end up adding another fascinating tale to this rivalry.
Australia have a superior overall record against India in the longest format of the game, having won 45 out of the 107 games while India have come out triumphant on 32 occasions. However, the last decade has seen India at their dominant best, as they have won the last four Test series (two home and two away) against Australia.
Many of the current Aussie players would want to set the record straight against an Indian side that was recently whitewashed 0-3 at home by New Zealand. The confidence of some of India's top players may have taken a beating but you can expect India to fire on all cylinders when their backs are against the wall.
For Australia to win their first Test series against India after 10 years, they will need their batters to stand up and score big all through the five-match series. With the series set to commence from November 22 onwards, let us look at five Australian players with the most Test centuries against India:
# 5. Matthew Hayden- 6 centuries
One of the greatest Test openers to have graced the game of cricket, Matthew Hayden holds a stupendous record against India. He stands fifth on the list among Australians with the most Test centuries against India.
The 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was his breakthrough series and he continued to dominate India for the next seven years. He employed the sweep shot with enormous success during the historic 2001 series.
He also had a great time against the Indian bowlers in home conditions but the spin-friendly conditions in India brought the best out of him. He scored six Test centuries against India at an average of 59.
# 4. David Boon- 6 centuries
Unlike the majority of the Australian batters who embody grace and elegance, David Boon may not have been one of the most stylish batters going around.
However, it was his incredible self-belief and resoluteness to replace his natural talent with hard work and sheer perseverance that made him one of the greatest Australian batters ever.
Boon stands fourth on the list for the most Test centuries against India by an Australian. The strongly built-batter played just 11 Tests against India and smashed six centuries at an incredible average of 70.82.
His highest score of 135 against India came in Adelaide in 1992 which helped Australia recover from a below-par showing in the first innings to go on to win the match by 38 runs.
# 3. Michael Clarke- 7 centuries
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke made his Test debut against India back in 2004 and made an immediate impact by scoring a century in his first match.
He was exceptional against spin but his record in India dipped as his career progressed. Clarke hit seven Test centuries against India in 22 matches at an average of 53.92.
His highest Test score of 329 came against India in Sydney in 2012 as Australia inflicted a 0-4 whitewash on them. Clarke was at his majestic best and made the Indian bowlers look clueless from time to time.
# 2. Ricky Ponting- 8 centuries
Ricky Ponting never boasted a great Test record in India but still stands next to Steve Smith on this particular list. Ponting’s Test career had a few blemishes in the subcontinent conditions but when it came to home conditions, he was a beast against India.
Ponting scored eight Test centuries against India at an average of 54.36. His highest score of 257 in Adelaide in 2003 didn't prove to be enough as Rahul Dravid overshadowed his stupendous knock to take India to a famous victory. Ponting scored runs at every venue in Australia, and Team India were at the recovering end of his onslaught from time to time.
# 1. Steve Smith- 9 centuries
A master who has arguably been the greatest Test batter in the modern generation, Steve Smith holds the record for the most number of Test centuries by an Australian batter against India.
Smith has been a pillar for Australia in the last 10-12 years and he has just taken his game to a whole new level against India in the red-ball format. In 19 matches so far, Smith has scored nine Test centuries against India at an average of 65.87.
One of his greatest knocks came in Pune back in 2016 on a track where the spinners ruled the roost. Smith scored a magical 109 to orchestrate a famous Australian win. He is expected to play a massive role for the Aussies in the upcoming BGT.