Steve Smith becomes most successful century-maker against India in Tests | Cricket News – Times of India

Australia’s Steve Smith (AP/PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Australia’s star batter Steve Smith created history on Friday, becoming the most successful century-maker against India in Test cricket. Smith achieved the milestone with his 11th century against India during the second day of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Smith surpassed England’s Joe Root, who has 10 centuries against India, for the record. Smith’s 11 tons have come in just 43 innings, while Root required 55 innings to reach his tally.
Scorecard: India vs Australia, 4th Test
The Australian batter scored a magnificent 140 off 197 balls, an innings studded with three sixes and 13 fours, propelling the hosts beyond the 450-run mark. It marked Smith’s second century of the series, following a gritty 101 in the third Test in Brisbane, which was his first ton in 25 innings since June 2023.
Smith’s overall Test record now boasts 34 centuries, the second-highest for an Australian behind Ricky Ponting‘s 41. He has joined an elite group of players, including Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, Younis Khan, and Mahela Jayawardene, all of whom also have 34 Test centuries. Smith is now tied for seventh place on the all-time list of century-makers, which is led by India’s Sachin Tendulkar with 51 hundreds.
Most Test centuries against India

Smith reached his milestone at the MCG with a boundary off Nitish Reddy during the morning session. He was eventually dismissed by Akash Deep for 140, falling to an inside edge that dragged onto his stumps.
In his 113-Test career, Smith has amassed 9,949 runs at an exceptional average of 56.85, complemented by 34 centuries and 41 half-centuries. As he edges closer to the 10,000-run mark, Smith continues to solidify his status as one of the greatest Test cricketers of his generation.