Top 5 batsmen fastest to hit 34 centuries in test cricket

11 batsmen have hit 34 or more centuries in test cricket.

Test cricket is often paired with words like patience and determination where batsmen have to work hard for their runs against disciplined bowling attacks.

Scoring a test century is considered one of the biggest achievements for batters because, unlike in limited-overs cricket, bowlers enjoy more luxury to set aggressive field placements to attack the batsmen.

Despite the challenge, a few batters have stepped up to the occasion to score several remarkable test centuries in their careers. In this article, we will take a look at top five batsmen fastest to hit 34 centuries in test cricket. Notably, a total of 11 batsmen have hit 34 or more centuries in test cricket.

Top five batsmen fastest to hit 34 centuries in test cricket:

5. Younis Khan – 206 innings

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan is hailed as one of the greatest Asian middle-order batsmen. Besides being a patient batter, he was also a prolific run-scorer for Pakistan in the early 2000s.

Younis took 206 innings to bring up his 34th test century. He also holds the record for the most centuries by a Pakistani batter in test cricket, with a total of 34. He retired in 2017 with 10,099test runs at an average of 52.05.

4. Sunil Gavaskar – 206 innings

Regarded as India’s greatest test opener, Sunil Gavaskar completed his 34th test hundred in 206th innings of his career. Making his test debut in 1971, Sunil Gavaskar was the first cricketer to reach the 10000-run mark in test cricket.

He finished his test career in 1987 with 10,122 runs, 34 centuries and 45 half-centuries. He was also a part of India’s World Cup winning campaign in 1983.

3. Steve Smith – 201 innings

Modern-day great Steve Smith is next on the elite list with 201 innings taken for his 34 test hundreds. Smith, who began his career as a leg-spinner and then turned into a legendary batter, has so far accumulated 9949 runs in the oldest format of the game at an outstanding average of 56.29 including 34 centuries and 41 half centuries.

2. Ricky Ponting – 193 innings

One of Australia’s greatest batsmen Ricky Ponting finished his career as the highest run-scorer for his nation with 13,378 test runs at an excellent average of 51.85. The former Australian captain was at the peak of his powers during the early 2000s.

Ponting brought up his 34th test century in his 193rd innings. He retired from international cricket in 2012 with 41 test tons to his name.

1. Sachin Tendulkar – 192 innings

There are not many batting records without Sachin Tendulkar, and this list is no exception either. Nicknamed “Master Blaster,” Sachin registered his 34th test century in his 192nd innings. He also holds the record for scoring most test centuries with his impressive tally of 51 tons.

He ended his career in 2013 with 15,921 test runs at an average of 53.79. His highest score of 248 runs came against Bangladesh in 2004.

(All stats are updated till 27th December 2024)

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