Shikhar Dhawan slams fastest century on debut in Test cricket

Mohali: Mar 16, 2013

India opener Shikhar Dhawan on Saturday created history by scoring fastest-ever century on debut in Test cricket. The 27-year-old also became the 13th Indian cricketer to slam a century on debut, scoring 104 not out off just 85 balls against Australia in the third Test at Mohali.

What was amazing was that Dhawan, effectively, scored his hundred in just one session since he was not out on nought at lunch. Dhawan’s knock of 104 not out was studded with 21 boundaries as the Australian bowlers had no answer to the onslaught which took them by surprise.

The left-handed opening batsman didn’t play a single stroke in the air during his innings, and found boundaries at ease on both the sides of the wicket.

Earlier, Dhawan clobbered 12 boundaries to bring up his maiden half-century in Test cricket, during the third day's play at Mohali. Dhawan brought up his half-century from only 51 balls, reaching 54 not out.

Here is a list of Indian batsmen who have hit a century on debut (Note that Dhawan is also the only opener among the lot):

 

Player	Year	Score
Lala Amarnath	1933	118
Deepak Shodhan	1952	110
AG Kripal Singh	1955	100*
Abbas Ali Baig	1959	112
Hanumant Singh	1964	105
Gundappa Viswanath	1969	137
Surinder Amarnath	1976	124
Mohammad Azharuddin	1984	110
Pravin Amre	1992	103
Sourav Ganguly	1996	131
Virender Sehwag	2001	105
Suresh Raina	2010	120
**Shikhar Dhawan	2013	104*

** Match still in progress

Dhawan is still unbeaten at Mohali at the time of writing this report, and it remains to be seen how far he will go.

Shikhar Dhawan magic at Mohali: Read all the stories here