9 Indian batters to score century in Boxing Day Test

The Boxing Day Test has a special place in cricket folklore. This significant day (December 26) is associated with the Victorian era's tradition of giving boxes full of gifts. Today, Boxing Day has evolved into a day for families and friends to celebrate the festival, play games, and exchange gifts. The day also invites massive crowds to cricket stadiums to witness international giants like Australia, India, South Africa and Pakistan battle it out.

Advertisment

Over the years, many iconic matches and cricketing moments of this day have gone down in history. Taking a fifer or scoring a century in a Boxing Day Test is a great achievement for a bowler and a batter. Only nine Indian batters managed to notch up a hundred in this important Test. Let's take a look at who those nine players are in this article.

9. KL Rahul (2023)

Advertisment

KL Rahul is the third Indian batter to score two centuries on this significant day. The wicket-keeper batter smashed 102 against South Africa in Centurion in 2021 and made 101 against the same side at the same venue in 2023. His latest century would be one of his best in the longer format as it helped put India in a safe position after a top-order collapse in the first innings. 

8. Cheteshwar Pujara (2018)

Advertisment

India's Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara scored a valiant hundred against Australia in the 2018 Boxing Day Test. The right-hander smashed 106 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

7. Ajinkya Rahane (2014, 2020)

Ajinkya Rahane is the second Indian player to score two centuries in a Boxing Day Test. He made 147 against Australia at the  Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2014 and 112 against the same side at the same venue in 2020.

6. Virat Kohli (2014)

Virat Kohli, the leader of the Fab 4 in Test cricket, displayed his tremendous batting prowess against Australia in the 2014 Boxing Day Test. He amassed an impressive 169 at Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

5. Virender Sehwag (2003)

Devastating India opener Virender Sehwag holds the record for the highest score by an Indian batter in the Boxing Day Test. His sensational 195 against Australia in 2003 at Melbourne Cricket Ground is etched in the annals of cricketing glory.

4. Sachin Tendulkar (1998,1999)

Batting masterclass Sachin Tendulkar is the first Indian cricketer to score two centuries in Boxing Day Tests. The right-hander scored 113 against New Zealand in Wellington in 1998 and 116 against Australia in Melbourne in 1999.

3. Mohammad Azharuddin (1998)

The former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin scored a brilliant century against New Zealand on Boxing Day 1998. His splendid 103 came in the first innings at Basin Reserve in Wellington. 

2. Kapil Dev (1992)

Legendary captain and all-rounder Kapil Dev was the second Indian to achieve this milestone. The 1983 World Cup-winning captain scored 129 in the second innings of the 1992 Boxing Day Test against South Africa at St George's Park in Gqeberha. 

1. Dilip Vengsarkar (1987)

Dilip Vengsarkar was the first Indian batter to score a century in the Boxing Day Test. In 1987, the right-hander smashed 102 against a formidable West Indies attack at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.