Playing Test cricket for your country is an achievement itself, let alone scoring a century on debut. India batter Shreyas Iyer, who made his Test debut in the ongoing Kanpur Test against New Zealand, on Friday registered his maiden Test century on his debut appearance for the team in the longest format of the game. Iyer smashed 105 off 171 balls, hitting 13 boundaries and a couple of sixes during India's first innings. His exploits helped India reach a total of 345 in the first innings at the Green Park Stadium, Kanpur.

Also Read: Most number of days between centuries by any Indian batsman in tests

Iyer became the 16th Indian to score a hundred on Test debut after the likes of Ganguly, Sehwag, Raina, Dhawan, Rohit, and Shaw. Now, we will look into those 16 players who scored a hundred on their Test debut for India.

1. Lala Amarnath | 118 runs

Lala Amarnath was the first batsman from India to score a hundred on test debut. Amarnath scored 118 runs against England at Mumbai in the year 1933. Therefore Lala becomes the first batsman to register his name on this list.

2. Deepak Shodan | 110 runs

Deepak Shodan comes second in this list of the players who scored a hundred on their test debut. He scored 110 runs against Pakistan at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata in the year 1952. Thus he became the second to register his name on this elite list.

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3. AG Kripal Singh | 100* runs

AG Kripal Singh was the third batsman from India to score a hundred on test debut. Kripal scored 100* runs against New Zealand in the year 1955 at Hyderabad. Thus he became the third to register his name in this elite list.

4. Abbas Ali Baig | 112 runs

Abbas Ali Baig scored 112 runs on his debut against England and registered his name on this list. He scored hundred on his test debut at the Manchester. Therefore he became the fourth batsman form India to register his name on this list of hundred on test debut.

Also Read: IND vs NZ Test series: Full preview, probable teams, pitch report, and more

5. Hanumant Singh | 105 runs

The 5th player in the list is Hanumant Singh, who scored a ton on his test debut back in 1964. Hanumant scored 105 runs against England at Delhi. Thus he became the fifth player to entitled his name on this elite list.

6. Gundappa Vishwanath | 137 runs

The legend Gundappa Vishwanath has also included his name in this elite list. He scored 137 runs against Australia at Kanpur back in the year 1969. Therefore he registered his name in this list of the players with a hundred on test debut.

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7. Surinder Amarnath | 124 runs

Another Indian legend Surinder Amarnath has also scored a ton on his debut back in 1976. Amarnath scored 124 runs against New Zealand at Auckland as he adds his name in this elite list as 7th Indian bastman.

8. Mohammad Azharuddin | 110 runs

Former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin became the 8th player to register his name on this list. Azhar scored 110 runs against England in the year 1984 on his debut at Kolkata. Thus he became the eight batsman to become a player with a hundred on his debut game.

Also Read: Ashes 2021: Pat Cummins becomes the Australian captain, Steve Smith named vice-captain

9. Pravin Amre | 103 runs

Pravin Amre registered his name in this list when he scored a ton on his test debut game. Amre scored 103 runs on his debut against South Africa back in 1992 at the Durban. Thus he became the 9th batsman from India to register his name on this list of players with a hundred on test debut.

10. Sourav Ganguly | 131 runs

The former Indian captain and current BCCI President Sourav Ganguly scored 136 runs on his debut game at the home of cricket, Lord's. Dada scored his ton against England at their den and became the 10th batsman of India to hit a ton on debut game in test.

Read Also: Ashes 2021: Tim Paine is out of the series after taking an indefinite break

11. Virender Sehwag | 105 runs

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag also includes his name when he made his test debut in the year 2001. Sehwag scored 105 runs on his debut game against South Africa at the Boemfontein. Therefore Sehwag registered his name on this list of the players with a hundred on test debut game.

12. Suresh Raina | 120 runs

Suresh Raina also comes in this list at the 12th position. Although, Raina has not the player to say in test cricket. But, Raina scored a hundred on his test debut back in the year 2010 against Srilanka at Colombo.

Also Read: Fastest 11000 runs as an opener in international cricket

13. Shikhar Dhawan | 187 runs

Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan also scored a ton on his test debut back in the year 2013. Dhawan scored 187 runs against Australia at the Mohali. Therefore he became the 13th player to score a hundred on his test debut and entitled his name in this list.

14. Rohit Sharma | 127 runs

Current Indian all formats opener Rohit Sharma has also scored a hundred on his test debut in the same year that Dhawan did. Rohit scored 127 runs against West Indies in 2013 at his favourite ground Kolkata. Thus he registered his name on this elite list of the Indian batsman who scored s hundred on their test debut.

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15. Prithwi Shaw | 134 runs

The young and talented batsman Prithwi Shaw was the 15th player to score a hundred on his test debut. Shaw scored 134 runs against West Indies in 2018 at the Rajkot stadium. Therefore, he registered his name on this elite list of batsmans.

16. Shreyas Iyer | 105 runs

The latest inclusion on this list is Shreyas Iyer, who recently scored a hundred on his debut game. Iyer scored 105 runs against New Zealand in the ongoing 2 match test series. He receives his debut cap from legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar and his cap number is 303. However, he became the 16th Indian batsman to score a hundred on test debut.

Also Read: Most wickets for India in ICC events

N.B: The stats are accurate as of 27/11/2021.

Indian men’s cricket team is ready to host reigning World Test Championship (WTC) holders South Africa in a two-match Test series, starting at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 14. The upcoming two-match Test series is part of the ongoing World Test Championship 2025-27. Led by Shubman Gill, India will aim to bag crucial home points with eyes on the top 2 spot in order to secure qualification for the WTC 2027 final scheduled to be held at the Lord's Cricket Ground in June 2027.

India have enjoyed a solid run of form this year, playing eight matches with four wins, three losses, and one draw. One of those defeats came during a tough tour of Australia, but the team has bounced back impressively since then. They managed a 2-2 draw in England and followed it up with a 2-0 series win over the West Indies. 

The World Test Champions had a mixed start to their campaign, losing the first Test against Pakistan but responding strongly with a win in the second. This tour to India features one of the strongest South African sides in recent years.

Also Read: Most Runs in India vs South Africa Test Series

India vs South Africa | Head-to-head Record in Test

South Africa and India have a very close head-to-head record in Test cricket. Since South Africa’s readmission to international cricket in 1991, these two sides have clashed in 44 Test matches so far. South Africa hold a tiny edge with 18 wins, while India won 16 Tests, and 10 Tests between them ended in a draw.

India vs South Africa | Last Five Tests Results

Over the last five Test series between the two nations, both India and South Africa have won two series each, with one series ending in a draw. Home advantage has clearly played a key role in the outcomes.

The 2023/24 two-match Test series in South Africa ended in a draw, with each team winning one match. South Africa won the first Test by an innings and 32 runs, while India clinched the second by 7 wickets.

South Africa won two series on home soil. In 2017/18, they defeated India 2-1 in a three-match series. Again in 2021/22, the Proteas won another three-match series 2-1 at home.

India has also claimed two series at home. In 2015/16, India won a four-match series 3-0, with one match drawn. In 2019/20, India swept South Africa 3-0 in a three-match series.

Also Read: Most Wickets in India vs South Africa Test Series

Every India vs South Africa Test Series Results

India and South Africa will lock horns in a two-match Test series, starting at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday. The Proteas last toured India for a Test series back in 2019, when the host blanked them 3-0. 

Talking about recent form in Test cricket, India ushered in the Shubman Gill era with a 2-2 draw in England and a 2-0 sweep over the West Indies at home. Meanwhile, the Proteas levelled 1-1 in Pakistan last month to kick off the defense of the ICC World Test Championship crown. This series is vital for both sides as they look to move up in the ICC WTC standings.

So, before the start of the series, let's have a look at the bowlers with most wickets in India vs South Africa Test series.

Also Read: Most Runs in India vs South Africa Test Series

Most Wickets in India vs South Africa Test Series

5. Morne Morkel | 58 Wickets

Across 31 innings against India, Morne Morkel took 58 wickets at an average of 26.41 and a strike rate of 53.77. However, Morkel took only one five-wicket haul against India. His only five-for came in the first Test in 2010 in Centurion. Morkel, who made his Test debut against India, intimidated the Indian batters through most of his career.

4. Harbhajan Singh | 60 Wickets

Harbhajan Singh is the 4th highest wicket-taker in India vs South Africa test cricket history. With an average of 28.40, Bhajji grabbed 60 wickets in 11 matches against South Africa. In 2004, Harbhajan returned with 7 for 87 at the historic Eden Gardens stadium.

3. Javagal Srinath | 64 Wickets

Former Indian fast bowler, Javagal Srinath comes in 2nd place on the list of taking the most Test wickets for India against South Africa. Srinath played 13 matches and bagged 64 wickets. During his career, Srinath took 4 out of his 10 five-wicket hauls against the Proteas, with his best against them being 6/21 in Ahmedabad in 1996.

2. Dale Steyn | 65 Wickets

South Africa’s aggressive fast bowler Dale Steyn has taken 65 wickets in just 14 matches at a bowling average of 21.53. Dale Steyn always wreaked havoc against India and is the most successful Protea bowler against the Asian giants. Interestingly, Steyn went wicketless just four times out of the 23 innings he bowled against India. His best performance came in Nagpur in 2010, when he claimed 10 wickets for 108 runs as the visitors won the game by a huge margin of an innings and 6 runs.

Also Read: Most Wickets in Test Cricket in 2025

1. Anil Kumble | 84 Wickets

Great leg spinner Anil Kumble tops the list with 84 wickets in 40 innings of 21 Test matches. Kumble took five wickets in an innings thrice in these matches. With 3 five-wicket hauls, Kumble's brilliant performance came in 1992 in Johannesburg, 6/53. Kumble was a part of the Indian team, that won the first-ever test match in South Africa in 2006.

India and South Africa will lock horns in a two-match Test series, starting at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday. The Proteas last toured India for a Test series back in 2019, when the host blanked them 3-0. 

Talking about recent form in Test cricket, India ushered in the Shubman Gill era with a 2-2 draw in England and a 2-0 sweep over the West Indies at home. Meanwhile, the Proteas levelled 1-1 in Pakistan last month to kick off the defense of the ICC World Test Championship crown. This series is vital for both sides as they look to move up in the ICC WTC standings.

So, before the start of the series, let's have a look at the batters with most runs in India vs South Africa Test series.

Also Read: Most Test Centuries in Cricket History

Most Runs in India vs South Africa Test Series

5. AB de Villiers | 1334 Runs

Former South African captain and 'Mr. 360 Degree' of cricket, AB de Villiers, completes this top-5 list. AB de scored 1,334 runs in 20 Test matches at an average of 39.23 against India, including 3 centuries and 6 half-centuries. 

His best score was an unbeaten 217 runs, which he played in Ahmedabad in 2008. This remains one of the finest innings played on Indian soil by a visiting batsman. This was also his first double century in Test cricket. This innings was played at a time when India was a strong team at home and facing legendary spinners like Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble. Amla and de Villiers combined to put the Indian bowlers on the back foot, helping South Africa to an innings victory by scoring 494 runs in the first innings.

4. Virat Kohli | 1408 Runs

Virat Kohli has been one of India’s most consistent performers against South Africa in Test cricket, scoring 1,408 runs in 28 innings at an impressive average of 54.15, including 3 centuries and 5 fifties.

Kohli’s highest score of 254* against the proteas came in Pune (2019). He played this innings while captaining the Indian Test team. He completely demolished the opposition, leading India to over 600 runs and win the match by an innings. Kohli is the only Indian captain to have won a Test series 3-0 against South Africa. This happened in 2019 when India hosted South Africa. He's also the only Indian captain to have beaten South Africa in a Test series twice. Sachin Tendulkar did it first, followed by Sourav Ganguly in 2004.

3. Hashim Amla | 1528 Runs

Elegant and composed Hashim Amla is in third place when it comes to most runs in Tests between India and South Africa. He made 1528 runs at an average of 43.65 in 21 tests, including five centuries and seven fifties.

He had made his South Africa debut in 2004 against India in Kolkata and went on to score big against India both at home and in India, on pitches that helped spinners. His highest score of 253* came in South Africa’s huge innings and six runs in Nagpur in 2010. His knock included 22 fours and, along with Jacques Kallis’ 173, he helped South Africa post 558/6d. India managed 233 and 319 runs in response.

2. Jacques Kallis | 1734 Runs

Legendary South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis comes in at the second spot in this list. Kallis amassed 1734 runs at an average of 69.36 in 18 Tests, including seven centuries and five fifties.

Kallis’ highest score with the bat against India was 201*, which came in the first Test at Centurion in the 2010 series. India had made 136 runs in the first innings. South Africa made 620/4d with centuries by Kallis, Hashim Amla (140), and AB de Villiers (129*). Kallis starred with 201* with 15 fours and five sixes. He also took two wickets across two India innings and was Player of the Match as the Proteas won by an innings and 25 runs. 

Also Read: Most Wickets in Test Cricket in 2025

1. Sachin Tendulkar | 1741 Runs

The record for most runs in India vs South Africa Test series is held by India's batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar. The legendary batter has 1741 runs in 45 innings at an average of 42.26 in 25 Tests, including seven centuries and five fifties.

Tendulkar’s brilliant 169 came in the second Test in Cape Town in the 1996 series. South Africa had made 529/7d, and in return, India was 58/5 when Tendulkar, the captain, got together with Mohammad Azharuddin to launch a scathing counterattack in a 222-run partnership. Tendulkar made 169 in 254 balls with 26 fours to his name. His knock was ended by a brilliant catch by Adam Bacher as India went on to lose by 282 runs.

The T20 World Cup 2026 will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Defending champion India is the primary host country for the tournament. Team India, led by Rohit Sharma, had performed brilliantly in the last T20 World Cup played in 2024 under the hosting of USA and West Indies and won the title by defeating South Africa in the final. Suryakumar Yadav is now the T20I captain of Team India. He will aim to lead India to the T20 World Cup 2026. However, the schedule for the number of T20 matches Team India will play before the World Cup has been revealed.

While the full schedule of the T20 Men's World Cup 2026 is yet to be out, it is expected to begin in the first week of February with the final slated to be held in the first week of March. India have a total of ten T20I scheduled till the World Cup.

Also Read: Who scored the fastest century in T20 World Cups?

Indian cricket team's schedule till T20 World Cup 2026

India set to host South Africa

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Indian team will host South Africa for an all-format tour that has two Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is. Here is the schedule of the entire tour.

Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that tickets for the first Test between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens on November 14 have been sold out! 🇮🇳🇿🇦🎟️✅#INDvSA #Tests #Kolkata #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/rIlwyWnOTJ

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) November 10, 2025

• 1st Test: November 14-18 - Kolkata
• 2nd Test: November 22-26 - Guwahati
• 1st ODI: November 30 - Ranchi
• 2nd ODI: December 3 - Raipur
• 3rd ODI: December 6 - Vizag
• 1st T20I: December 9: Cuttack
• 2nd T20I: December 11: New Chandigarh
• 3rd T20I: December 14: Dharamsala
• 4th T20I: December 17: Lucknow
• 5th T20I: December 19: Ahmedabad

Also Read: Best bowling spells in T20 World Cups

Limited-overs tour against New Zealand

Following the series against South Africa, the Indian team will play three ODIs and five T20Is against New Zealand on home soil.

• 1st ODI: January 11 - Vadodara
• 2nd ODI: January 14 - Rajkot
• 3rd ODI: January 18 - Indore
• 1st T20I: January 21 - Nagpur
• 2nd T20I: January 23 - Raipur
• 3rd T20I: January 25 - Guwahati
• 4th T20I: January 28 - Vizag
• 5th T20I: January 31 - Thiruvananthapuram

With 10 T20Is at home before the T20 World Cup 2026, India’s focus will be on fine-tuning combinations, testing young players, and ensuring the team is ready to defend its crown on home soil.

Abhishek Sharma has continued his great form in T20Is and has fought a lone battle against the mighty Australia in the 2nd T20I at the MCG. He scored three back-to-back fifties in the Asia Cup and has now smashed another half-century in just his second outing in Australia. With this, he also notched up the third fastest T20I fifty against Australia after Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh.

In this article, we will take a look at the fastest fifties for India vs Australia in T20Is.

Also Read: IND vs AUS: Highest Individual ODI Scores by Indians vs Australia

Fastest fifties for India vs Australia in T20Is

1. Rohit Sharma | 19 balls (2024)

Rohit Sharma smashed a blistering half-century in just 19 balls during T20 World Cup 2024 clash against Australia at Gros Islet. Rohit's 19-ball fifty is the fastest fifties for India vs Australia in T20Is. This is also the third-fastest fifty by an Indian in all editions of the T20 World Cup. Rohit reached the 50-run mark off just 19 balls with a single on the last ball of the fifth over, bowled by Pat Cummins.

During his innings, Rohit also became India's top scorer in T20Is, surpassing Virat Kohli. He also became the first batter to hit 200 sixes in T20Is.

2. Yuvraj Singh | 20 balls (2007)

Yuvraj Singh smashed a blistering 20-ball half-century to help MS Dhoni-led India thrash Australia in the semi-final and storm into the final of the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup (2007). Under the leadership of MS Dhoni, India registered a thrilling 15-run win, setting up a historic final clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. 

Fresh from his unforgettable six sixes in an over against England's Stuart Broad, Yuvraj continued his aggressive form. Right from the outset, Yuvraj took the Australian bowlers to task. His fluent driving, coupled with his trademark effortless pulls, sent the ball flying to all parts of the ground. 

3. Abhishek Sharma | 23* balls (2025)

India's star T20I batter Abhishek Sharma's bat blazed in the second T20I match between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. While other Indian batsmen struggled, Abhishek took on the Australian bowlers aggressively. He completed his half-century in just 23 balls in this match. With this, he moved to third place in the list of batsmen who have scored the fastest fifty for India against Australia. This is also the joint-fastest T20I fifty by an Indian batter on Australian soil. He was eventually dismissed after scoring 68 runs.

Abhishek smashed eight fours and two sixes en route to his 37-ball 68. This was his sixth T20I fifty as he also boasts a couple of tons. The top-ranked T20I batter has now raced to 936 runs from 26 T20Is at an average of 37.44. His strike rate is a stunning 193.38. 338 of his T20I runs have come in away games at 30.72.

Also Read: Most Runs for India Against Australia in ODIs

4. Yashasvi Jaiswal | 24 balls (2023)

India youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a blistering half-century during the second India-Australia T20I in Thiruvananthapuram in 2023. He got to his half-century off 24 balls as India scored 77 runs in the powerplay. In the fourth over of the Indian innings, he took 24 runs off fast bowler Sean Abbott. The southpaw scored 53 runs off 25 balls with nine fours and two sixes. Jaiswal also helped India make their highest score against the Aussies in the powerplay in T20Is.

Jaiswal, in the meantime, became the third Indian after Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to score a half-century in the powerplay of a T20I.