4 Youngest Indian Players to Score a Test Century in Australia
Many dream of scoring a Test century in Australia. It is a milestone on some of the world’s toughest cricket pitches. For a few young Indian batters, Australia has been the stage for their careers. Here are the four youngest Indian players to score a century on Australian soil. They are, from Tendulkar’s teen heroics to Nitish Kumar Reddy’s 2024 MCG innings.
1. Sachin Tendulkar (Age – 18 years, 256 days) – Sydney, 1992
Sachin Tendulkar, one of cricket’s greatest batters, made his mark in Australia as a teen. At 18 years and 256 days, Tendulkar scored 148* against a strong Aussie attack. It was in the 1991-92 series’ third Test at the SCG.
Tendulkar’s masterclass helped India take a first-innings lead. He then scored 114 on the bouncy WACA surface in Perth. His performances heralded a future legend. He became the youngest Indian to score a Test century in Australia.
2. Rishabh Pant (Age – 21 years, 92 days) – Sydney, 2019
Rishabh Pant’s fearless approach stunned Australia. He scored a brilliant 159* in the final Test of the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Pant faced a bowling attack of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon. He smashed 15 fours and a six in his 189-ball knock.
At 21 years and 92 days, Pant’s century helped India secure their first-ever Test series win in Australia. His attacking brilliance made him the second-youngest Indian centurion on Australian soil.
3. Nitish Kumar Reddy (Age – 21 years, 216 days) – Melbourne, 2024
India’s newest batting star, Nitish Kumar Reddy, proved his class in the 2024 Boxing Day Test. The 21-year-old saved the match with a knock of 105 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His innings lifted India from 191-6 to 358-9.
Reddy’s innings was a maiden Test century. It showed his calm under pressure. His heroics at such a young age signal a bright future for this rising star.
4. Dattu Phadkar (Age – 22 years, 46 days) – Adelaide, 1948
Dattu Phadkar was one of India’s best batters in early international cricket. At 22 years and 46 days, Phadkar scored his first Test century. It was in the fourth match of India’s 1947-48 tour of Australia.
His resilient 123 off 284 balls at the Adelaide Oval anchored India’s first-innings total of 381. Despite his efforts, the team suffered an innings defeat. Phadkar’s innings is a symbol of his courage against a strong Australian side.
From legends like Tendulkar to rising stars like Nitish Reddy, these performances exemplify the grit and skill required to conquer Australia’s challenging conditions. For Indian cricket, these innings symbolize a bright future. They show not just individual brilliance but also great potential.
