Most Test centuries in overseas by active batters

Test cricket is the traditional playing format of cricket and continues to appeal to fans even today. Many new formats like One-Day International and Twenty20 have emerged over the years and become more popular and preferred than Test cricket, but the latter represents how cricket was originally played. Let's take a look at the active players with the most Test centuries in foreign soil.

Also Read: Most Test centuries in the World Test Championship

1. Virat Kohli | 15

Former Indian skipper, Virat Kohli slammed most Test centuries in away matches. Kohli made his Test debut against West Indies in 2011. Since then, he hasn't looked back and has continued to have his name written in the record books every now and then. He has scored a total of 29 Test centuries for India, and out of them, 15 in overseas matches. Kohli is also the second-highest century-maker in international cricket history after Sachin Tendulkar.

In 61 away matches, Kohli has amassed 4584 runs at an average of 42.84. He has also 18 half centuries to his name.

2. Steve Smith | 15

Steve Smith, the former captain of the Australian cricket team, has also 15 overseas centuries in Test cricket, the joint most Test centuries along with Virat Kohli. With an average of 53.93 in 52 matches, Smith has amassed 4854 Test runs in the foreign soil. Smith has made overall 32 tons in the red-ball format. His first hundred in the format came against England in the fifth Test of the 2013 Ashes series. 

3. Joe Root | 13

Former England skipper Joe Root has had a glorious Test career so far. Root has made 65 appearances in away Tests for the national team, smashing 5357 runs with 13 centuries and 29 half-centuries. Root, who made his Test debut in 2012, scored his maiden century a year later in 2013 against New Zealand. He is also the second-highest run-getter for England in red-ball cricket.

Apart from that, Root smashed 32 Test hundreds overall. India seems to be Root's favourite opposition as ten of his 32 hundreds have come against the Men in Blue.

Also Read: Most Runs in WTC 2023-25

4. Kane Williamson | 11

Kane Williamson has been the most dependable batter in Tests for New Zealand. Williamson has made 44 appearances in away Tests, and made 11 centuries for the national team with an average of 42.18. He is also currently the highest run-scorer for his country, amassing 8,743 runs including 32 hundreds in the longest format.

Williamson made his Test debut in 2010, scoring his maiden century in his very first innings against India at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad. That feat made him the eighth New Zealand player to score a century on Test debut.

5. Cheteshwar Pujara | 9

Cheteshwar Pujara has been dubbed the New Wall or the Ultimate Warrior, for his fighting knocks for India. Pujara has made 50 appearances in away Tests for the national team and smashed 9 centuries. He also has 15 half centuries to his name. In 92 overseas Test innings, Pujara has scored 3292 runs at an average of 37.40. His highest score in foreign soil is 193.

6. Angelo Mathews | 8

Veteran Sri Lankan batsman Angelo Mathews has slammed 8 centuries and 13 fifties in the overseas Test matches with his best score being  200* against Zimbabwe. In 42 away Tests, Mathews has scored 2997 runs at 42.21. He is also the third-highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka in the longest format of the game, scoring 7608 runs. 

7. Ajinkya Rahane | 8

Ajinkya Rahane has a niche for scoring centuries abroad. Rahane is one of those rare players who has scored more centuries in overseas conditions than at home. Out of his 12 Test hundreds, eight have come outside India. He even scored his maiden century in the format against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve. In 51 overseas Test matches, Rahane has scored 3234 runs at an average of 39.43. He has also 17 fifties to his name.

Also Read: Most Test hundreds for India since 2021

8. KL Rahul | 7

India wicket-keeper batter KL Rahul is the third Indian player to record centuries across all three formats and is known for his excellent conversion rate. In 33 overseas Tests, the wicket-keeper batter has slammed 7 centuries and 5 fifties, amassing 1832 runs.