Top 5 Test centuries by Indian batters in SENA countries

Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara (Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Bringing up centuries in Test cricket is undoubtedly one of the most prominent milestones for any batter. As far as Indian cricket is concerned, doing so in the challenging conditions of SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries could be considered one of the most commendable achievements.

Some of the finest batters from India have had a hard time with the bat in these nations while playing with the red ball. No matter the final outcome of the game, each of the 130 Test tons scored in SENA nations (as of May 2025) holds a special place in the legacy of Indian Test cricket.

Top 5 Test centuries by Indian batters in SENA countries

5. Cheteshwar Pujara (123 off 246 vs Australia, 2018)

Team India had won the toss and opted to bat first in the first Test of the keenly awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A nightmarish start from the visitors saw them lose three wickets within the first hour of the day’s play. The pace attack of the Aussies had well and truly done their job. Rohit Sharma (37 off 61) and Rishabh Pant (25 off 38) departed off the bowling of Nathan Lyon.

However, the one person who stood tall regardless was Cheteshwar Pujara. It took an incredible piece of fielding to dismiss Pujara at the very end of the day’s play. He top-scored with 71 in India’s second innings after Australia ended up conceding a 15-run first-innings lead. India won the game by 31 runs, and Pujara was rightfully awarded the Player of the Match accolade.

4. Rahul Dravid (190 off 354 vs New Zealand, 1999)

A five-wicket haul (5/95 in 32.2 overs) by Javagal Srinath helped keep New Zealand to a total of 366 in the first innings. India’s opening batters were dismissed by the fifth over of the innings. It was then that Rahul Dravid combined with Sachin Tendulkar (67 off 93) to put on a century-plus stand. He later collaborated with India’s hero of the first innings to put up 144 for the eighth wicket.

The Kiwis declared their second innings on 464/8. Ajay Jadeja and Navjot Sidhu could not capitalise on their starts. Dravid did not let his batting momentum slip away. He joined hands with Sourav Ganguly (101* off 111) to register a ton in both innings for the first time in his Test career. The match ended in a draw. Although India ended up losing the series, Dravid finished as the leading run-scorer of the series.

3. Virat Kohli (149 off 225 vs England, 2018)

Ravichandran Ashwin (4/62 in 26 overs) and Mohammed Shami (3/64 in 19.4 overs) shared seven wickets between them to bundle England out for 287 by the conclusion of the second over on the second day. After a solid start with the bat, India ended up losing their first three wickets in the span of 2.1 overs. Virat Kohli was the standout performer for his side. He was the last batter to be dismissed.

Out of India’s 274, which included 20 extras, Kohli had contributed 149 runs. India were in the ascendancy to win the game after skittling out the hosts for 180 in 53 overs. The then-skipper top-scored (51 off 93) in his side’s second innings too. However, they fell short by 31 runs. India could never recover from that loss and ended up losing the series by a 4–1 margin.

2. Gundappa Viswanath (114 off 222 vs Australia, 1981)

The first Test of the three-match 1980–81 tour of Australia ended in the hosts’ favour in thumping fashion. The second game was drawn. Electing to field first, Australia had the upper hand. They had dismissed the Indian top three before the score reached 50. Gundappa Viswanath arrived at the crease and played one of the finest knocks by a subcontinental batter in Australia up to that point in time.

India ended up drawing level via a 59-run victory at the end. Australia racked up 419 in their first innings, ensuring a hefty lead. More than 50% of India’s second-innings total came from the 165-run opening stand between Sunil Gavaskar (70 off 180) and Chetan Chauhan (85 off 198). A total of 143 did not seem like one that could be defended. An outstanding display of bowling (5/28 in 16.4 overs) from Kapil Dev proved otherwise.

1. Kapil Dev (129 off 180 vs South Africa, 1992)

Team India were blown away by a five-wicket haul from Allan Donald in the first innings and were bowled out for 212. It was largely due to Hansie Cronje’s 135 that the Proteas reached 275. India couldn’t have got off to a worse start in their second innings—they had lost half their side with just 27 on the board. It seemed as if the hosts would register an emphatic innings win.

The legendary all rounder Kapil Dev waged a lone battle at the crease with an otherworldly 129-run knock, almost single-handedly taking India’s total from pitiful to respectable. A trio of 17s from the batters to follow ensured India ended on 215 after 73 overs. South Africa cruised to victory via a nine-wicket margin. However, this particular match is often remembered for Kapil’s grit.

Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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