Steve Smith has made cricket history once again. During the Day Test match at Melbourne, he scored his 11th Test century against India. This achievement has made him the first player ever to score 11 centuries in Tests against India, surpassing Joe Root’s previous record of 10 centuries. This remarkable feat further strengthens Smith position as one of the best cricketers of the modern era.
The Journey to 11 Centuries Against India
Steve Smith journey to this historic achievement has been impressive. He came to the crease when Australia was at 154-2, facing a challenging situation after losing quick wickets and slipping to 246-5. By the end of Day 1, Smith had scored 68 runs without losing his wicket, showing his trademark patience and resilience.
On Day 2, he continued his brilliant form. Smith hit a boundary off Nitish Kumar Reddy, taking him to his 34th Test century. This milestone added another memorable moment to his career, especially at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), a ground where Smith batting average has always been remarkable.
Why This Century is Special
This century is even more special because it came in just his 23rd Test match against India. That means Smith has managed to score a century in almost half of his matches against the Indian team! Out of his 16 scores above 50 against India, 11 have been centuries, showing his dominance over the team.
Smith first Test against India was back in 2013 at Mohali, where he scored 92 runs. This performance hinted at the brilliance that was to come in the following years. In the 2014-15 home series, Smith scored a century in each of the four Tests, showing he was on top of his game. His form continued in the 2016-17 series in India, where he scored centuries in Pune and Ranchi.
He also scored hundreds in the Sydney Test in the 2020-21 series and in Ahmedabad during the 2022-23 series. In the ongoing series, Smith has already hit centuries in both Brisbane and Melbourne, continuing his excellent record against India.
List of Players with Most Test Centuries Against India
Here’s a list of the players who have scored the most Test centuries against India:
| Player | Team | Tests Played | Runs Scored | Centuries | Half-Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | Australia | 23 | 2306 | 11 | 5 |
| Joe Root | England | 30 | 2846 | 10 | 11 |
| Garry Sobers | West Indies | 18 | 1920 | 8 | 7 |
| Viv Richards | West Indies | 28 | 1927 | 8 | 7 |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | 29 | 2555 | 8 | 12 |
As we can see, Smith record of 11 centuries is unmatched, and he is leading the list by a significant margin.
Steve Smith Legacy
This milestone further cements Steve Smith place as one of the greatest batsmen in modern cricket. His ability to consistently score runs against top teams like India has made him a reliable and valuable player for Australia. Fans around the world are eager to see what more he can achieve in his career, as he continues to break records and reach new heights.
Smith consistency against India has become legendary. With his current form, it’s likely that he will continue to make history and add even more records to his name. Cricket fans are excited about the future and are eager to see Smith next great performance.
Summary
Steve Smith achievement of scoring his 11th Test century against India is a remarkable feat that highlights his dominance in the world of cricket. From his first century in 2013 to his recent centuries in Melbourne, Smith has shown that he is one of the best batsmen of his generation. His record against India is a testament to his skill, determination, and resilience, and he continues to inspire cricket lovers worldwide.
