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Smith’s century on Sunday was his 15th triple-digit score in international cricket against India, and it helped him break Ponting’s record of 14 centuries vs. India.
Steve Smith becomes first batter to score 15 centuries against India in international cricket. (Picture Credit: AP)
Star Australian batter Steve Smith ended his 18-month-long wait to score a Test century on Sunday, December 15. The right-handed batter came out to bat at No. 4 for the Baggy Greens in the ongoing third Test against India at The Gabba and scored 101 runs. During his stay at the crease, he faced 190 balls and hammered 12 fours. He added 241 runs for the fourth wicket with Travis Head, who amassed a total of 152 runs from 160 balls.
By scoring a century on Sunday, Smith broke former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting’s record of scoring the most centuries against India in international cricket.
During his 17-year-long international career, Ponting played 89 matches against India across formats and scored 14 centuries. He crossed the 100-run mark eight times in 29 Tests and six times in 59 ODIs.
Most 100s against India
- Steve Smith (Australia) – 15
- Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 14
- Joe Root (England) – 13
- Viv Richards (West Indies) – 11
- Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 11
On the other hand, Smith has 10 Test and five ODI centuries to his name against the Indian team. By scoring his 10th Test century against India on Sunday, Smith equalled England batter Joe Root’s record. Root, who is England’s leading run-scorer in Test cricket, has also crossed the 100-run mark 10 times in the five-day format of the game against India.
Most 100s against India in Tests
- Steve Smith (Australia) – 10
- Joe Root (England) – 10
- Garry Sobers (West Indies) – 8
- Viv Richards (West Indies) – 8
- Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 8
The century in Brisbane also helped Smith take the No. 2 position in the list of batters with the most centuries in Test matches played between India and Australia. Only Sachin Tendulkar has scored more centuries than Smith in the Test matches played between the two teams. During his 24-year-long Test career, Tendulkar played 39 Tests against the Baggy Greens and crossed the 100-run mark on 11 occasions.
Most 100s in India-Australia Tests
- Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 11
- Steve Smith (Australia) – 10
- Virat Kohli (India) – 9
- Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 8
- Sunil Gavaskar (India) – 8
Virat Kohli is in third spot with nine centuries in 28 Tests. Ponting and Sunil Gavaskar finished their careers with eight Test centuries each.
Smith’s knock of 101 runs on Sunday was ended by Jasprit Bumrah. Indian captain Rohit Sharma completed a brilliant catch in the slips to bring an end to his fighting knock, which helped Australia bounce back from 76 for 3 and cross the 300-run mark in the first innings of the ongoing third Test.
