India is a nation of cricket lovers, and nothing makes them happier than seeing their team score big runs in the shortest format of the game. T20 cricket is all about thrill, excitement and entertainment, and India has produced some of the finest batsmen who have mastered this art.
In this five minute read, we will look at the top five T20 centuries scored by Indian players, and relive the moments of glory and joy they brought to millions of fans.
Indian players with T20 centuries
As of December 2023, seven Indian players have scored T20 centuries for India. They are:
- Rohit Sharma
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Virat Kohli
- KL Rahul
- Suresh Raina
- Rishabh Pant
- Shikhar Dhawan
Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav are the joint record holders for the most T20I centuries for India with four centuries each. Rohit Sharma is also the only player in the world to have five T20I centuries.
Suryakumar Yadav is the latest entrant in this elite club, having scored his fourth century against New Zealand in December 2023.
Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Suresh Raina have scored one century each for India in T20Is. Virat Kohli is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen in all formats of the game, and his century against West Indies in 2016 was a masterclass of chasing.
KL Rahul is a stylish and versatile opener who can adapt to any situation. His century against England in 2018 was a flawless display of strokeplay.
Suresh Raina was the first centurion in T20Is for India. He achieved the feat in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2010 against South Africa. Rishabh Pant and Shikhar Dhawan have also scored one century each for India in T20s, but not in T20Is.
Rishabh Pant is an explosive wicketkeeper-batsman who can change the course of a match with his fearless hitting. His century against Himachal Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2018 was a sensational knock that included 12 sixes.
Shikhar Dhawan is a reliable and aggressive opener who can provide solid starts for India. His century against Sri Lanka in the Nidahas Trophy in 2018 was a dominant performance that helped India win the tournament.
1. Rohit Sharma: 118 vs Sri Lanka, Indore, 2017
Rohit Sharma is the joint record holder for the most T20I centuries in international cricket, with four centuries to his name. He is also the only player to score two T20I centuries as a captain.
He made his T20I debut in 2007, and scored his first century in 2015 against South Africa in Dharamsala. He followed it up with another century against Sri Lanka in Indore in 2017. His third century came against England in Bristol in 2018, and his fourth against West Indies in Lucknow in 2018.
Rohit Sharma has scored 2864 runs in 111 T20Is, at an average of 32.54 and a strike rate of 138.79. He has hit 245 fours and 133 sixes, the most by any Indian player in this format. He also holds the record for the most fifties (22) and the most runs (648) in a calendar year in T20Is. He is ranked second in the ICC T20I batting rankings, behind England’s Dawid Malan.
Rohit Sharma is one of the most destructive and elegant batsmen in world cricket, and his ability to score big runs at a rapid pace makes him a nightmare for any bowler. He has a wide range of shots, and can switch gears according to the situation.
He is also a brilliant fielder and a successful captain, having led India to two Asia Cup titles and a Nidahas Trophy title in T20Is. Rohit Sharma’s T20 centuries are:
- 106 vs South Africa in 2015
- 118 vs Sri Lanka in 2017
- 100* vs England in 2018
- 111* vs West Indies in 2018
- 100* vs Bangladesh in 2019
Some of his notable achievements are:
- The highest individual score (264) in ODI cricket
- The only player to score three double centuries in ODI cricket
- The only player to score five centuries in a single edition of the World Cup
- The most runs (722) by an Indian player in a single edition of the IPL
2. Suryakumar Yadav: 117 vs England, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 2021
Suryakumar Yadav is the latest sensation in Indian cricket, who has taken the world by storm with his explosive batting. He has scored four T20I centuries in just 18 matches, making him the joint record holder for the most T20I centuries in international cricket, along with his teammate Rohit Sharma.
Suryakumar Yadav is another joint record holder for the most T20I centuries in international cricket, with four centuries to his name. He made his T20I debut in 2021, and scored his first century against England in Ahmedabad. He followed it up with another century against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2021. His third century came against Australia in Dubai in 2021, and his fourth against Pakistan in Sharjah in 2021.
His first century came against England in 2022, when he scored 117 off 55 balls on his debut. He became only the second player after Ravinderpal Singh of Canada to score a century on his T20I debut.
His second century was against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui in 2022, when he scored an unbeaten 111 off 51 balls to guide India to a comfortable win by seven wickets. He also became the first player to score two T20I centuries in his first 5 matches.
His third and recent century is against Sri Lanka in Rajkot in 2023, when he scored a brilliant 112* off 51 balls.
Suryakumar Yadav has scored 1023 runs in 25 T20Is, at an average of 51.15 and a strike rate of 149.48. He has hit 92 fours and 38 sixes, and has a highest score of 120 not out. He has also taken seven catches and effected two run outs in the field. He is ranked fifth in the ICC T20I batting rankings, behind England’s Jos Buttler.
Suryakumar Yadav is one of the most exciting and innovative batsmen in world cricket, and his ability to play unconventional shots makes him a crowd favourite. He has a fearless approach to batting and can dominate any bowling attack with ease.
He is also a versatile player, who can bat at any position according to the team’s needs. He is also a handy bowler, who can bowl off-spin or medium pace as required. Some of his notable achievements are:
- The fastest century (35 balls) by an Indian player in T20I cricket
- The most runs (512) by an uncapped player in a single edition of the IPL
- The most sixes (28) by an uncapped player in a single edition of the IPL
- The most runs (480) by an Indian player in the 2021 T20 World Cup
3. Virat Kohli: 100 not out vs Australia, Mohali, 2016
Virat Kohli is arguably the best batsman in the world across formats and he has shown his class and brilliance in T20s as well. Virat Kohli’s T20 centuries are one in the game vs Australia in 2016 and another one against West Indies in 2019.
Virat Kohli is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen of all time, and his record in T20I cricket is phenomenal. He has scored one century and 28 fifties in this format, and has an average of 52.65, the highest among players with more than 1000 runs. He made his T20I debut in 2010 and scored his only century against West Indies in Lauderhill in 2016.
Virat Kohli has scored 3159 runs in 90 T20Is, at a strike rate of 138.15. He has hit 292 fours and 90 sixes, and has a highest score of 118. He has also taken 41 catches and effected four run outs in the field. He is ranked seventh in the ICC T20I batting rankings, behind Australia’s Aaron Finch.
Virat Kohli is one of the most consistent and reliable batsmen in world cricket and his ability to chase down any target makes him a match-winner. He has a solid technique, and can adapt to any conditions or situations.
He is also a passionate leader, who inspires his teammates with his energy and aggression. He is also a fitness freak, who sets high standards for himself and others. Some of his notable achievements are:
- The most runs (973) by a player in a single edition of the IPL
- The only player to score four consecutive fifties in T20I cricket
- The only player to score more than 50 runs in 7 consecutive innings in T20I cricket
- The most runs (319) by a captain in a single edition of the T20 World Cup
The reasons why Virat Kohli is such a good team-player in T20’s:
- His hunger and determination to win matches for India
- His fitness and stamina to play long innings
- His concentration and focus to handle pressure
- His leadership and inspiration as a captain
4. KL Rahul: 110 not out vs West Indies, Lauderhill, 2016
KL Rahul is one of the most talented and stylish batsmen in world cricket, and his record in T20I cricket is impressive. He has scored two centuries and 13 fifties in this format, and has an average of 46.28, the second-highest among players with more than 1000 runs.
He made his T20I debut in 2016, and scored his first century against West Indies in Lauderhill in 2016. He scored his second century against England in Manchester in 2018.
KL Rahul has scored 1642 runs in 49 T20Is, at a strike rate of 142.19. He has hit 146 fours and 62 sixes, and has a highest score of 110 not out. He has also taken 18 catches and effected two run outs in the field. He is ranked ninth in the ICC T20I batting rankings, behind New Zealand’s Devon Conway.
KL Rahul is one of the most elegant and graceful batsmen in world cricket, and his ability to play all kinds of shots makes him a delight to watch. He has a sound technique and can bat at any position according to the team’s needs.
He is also a capable wicket-keeper, who can don the gloves if required. He is also a mature leader, who has captained Punjab Kings in the IPL. KL Rahul’s T20 centuries are:
- 110* vs West Indies in 2016
- 101* vs England in 2018
The factors that makes KL Rahul dangerous in T20 cricket are:
- His balance and poise at the crease
- His timing and placement of the ball
- His consistency and temperament to score big runs
- His versatility and skill to keep wickets
He almost took India to a sensational win, as they needed eight runs off the last over to chase down 246. But Dwayne Bravo bowled a brilliant final over, and India fell short by one run. Rahul’s century was the highest score by an Indian in a losing cause in T20s.
5. Suresh Raina: 101 vs South Africa, Gros Islet, 2010
Suresh Raina was the first Indian to score a T20 century and he did it on the biggest stage of all: the World Cup. He is one of the most experienced and successful players in Indian cricket history and his record in T20I cricket is commendable.
He has scored one century and five fifties in this format and has an average of 29.16. He made his T20I debut in 2006, and scored his only century against South Africa in Gros Islet in 2010.
Raina displayed his trademark flair and finesse, hitting nine fours and five sixes in his 60-ball innings. He also stitched a vital 88-run partnership with Yuvraj Singh, who scored a quickfire 37. Factors that contribute to Suresh Raina’s success in T20 cricket are:
- His power and range of shots, especially on the off side
- His ability to rotate the strike and find gaps
- His experience and knowledge of the game
- His loyalty and commitment to the team
Raina’s century propelled India to 186 for 5, and they defended it comfortably by 14 runs. Raina also became the third player after Chris Gayle and Mahela Jayawardene to score a century in both T20 and ODI World Cups.
Suresh Raina is one of the most aggressive and versatile batsmen in world cricket and his ability to score quickly makes him a valuable asset. He has a strong bottom hand, and can hit big shots with ease. He is also an excellent field
6. Rishabh Pant: 114 vs New England, The Oval, London, 2018
Rishabh Pant is one of the most exciting young talents in world cricket. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman has impressed everyone with his fearless and aggressive batting, his innovative shots and his ability to finish games under pressure. He holds the record for being the all-time top-scorer for the Delhi side. In 2021, he was appointed captain, showcasing his leadership skills.
Made his T20I debut for India in February 2017 against England at Bengaluru. He scored his maiden T20I century against West Indies at Chennai in November 2018 and scored 111 runs off 56 balls with ten 4s and seven 6s, at a strike rate of 198.21.
He became the second youngest player to score a T20I century, after Nepal’s Kushal Malla. He also became the first Indian wicketkeeper-batsman to score a T20I century. He helped India chase down a target of 182 with four balls to spare. He was named the man of the match for his sensational innings.
Pant has scored two more T20I centuries for India since then: against Bangladesh at Rajkot in November 2019 and against England at Ahmedabad in March 2021. He has played 46 T20Is for India so far, scoring 1326 runs at an average of 32.09 and a strike rate of 153.72.
He has hit eight fifties and three hundreds, with a highest score of 111. He has also taken 28 catches and seven stumpings behind the stumps. He is currently ranked seventh in the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings.
Pant is known for his explosive batting style, his ability to hit big shots all around the ground and his penchant for playing unconventional strokes like the reverse sweep and the scoop. He is also a reliable finisher for India in the lower middle order, who can accelerate the scoring rate in the death overs or chase down any target with ease. He is one of the most valuable players for India in T20 cricket.
7. Shikhar Dhawan: 106 vs New Zealand, Hamilton, 2020
Shikhar Dhawan is one of the most consistent and prolific openers for India in limited-overs cricket, and he proved his mettle in T20s as well with a splendid century against New Zealand at Hamilton in 2020.
Dhawan was in sublime touch, hitting 10 fours and five sixes in his 61-ball innings. He also became the fourth Indian to score a T20 hundred, and the first to do so on New Zealand soil.
He also shared a record-breaking 156-run opening stand with Rohit Sharma, who scored a fine 65. Dhawan’s ton helped India post a challenging 202 for 5, but New Zealand chased it down with four balls to spare. Dhawan also became the second-highest run-scorer for India in T20s, surpassing Virat Kohli.
Conclusion
India so far has produced some of the finest batsmen in T20 international cricket who have entertained the fans with their scintillating centuries. Rohit Sharma & Suryakumar Yadav are the joint record holders for the most T20I centuries with four each while Virat Kohli is the highest run-scorer in T20Is with one century. Suresh Raina, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant are the other centurions who are always at help for India.
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