India has faced many legendary batters in Test cricket over the years. These players have delivered extraordinary performances, scoring centuries and leaving a lasting impact. Among them, two modern-day greats—Steve Smith and Joe Root—stand out for their dominance against India.
Root added yet another milestone to his career on Friday (July 25), becoming the first player to score 12 Test hundreds against India. He walked in at 197/2 during England's first innings at Old Trafford and looked in complete control from the outset.
Follow The Sporting News India on WhatsApp
He made a 144-run partnership with Ollie Pope and remained unshaken even after England lost two quick wickets. Root eventually brought up his century in the 96th over with a boundary off Anshul Kamboj.
Root has been a reliable performer for England and has often been a thorn in India's side during crucial matches. Let's take a closer look at the list of players who have scored the most hundreds in Tests against India.
Who has scored the most Test centuries against India?
With this hundred, Root moved past Steve Smith, who previously held the record with 11 Test centuries against India. The Australian had taken the lead briefly during the 2024 Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, but Root's back-to-back tons in the third and fourth Tests of the current series have seen him reclaim the top spot.
Root had earlier equalled Smith's tally with a knock of 104 at Lord's in the third Test. Now, with 12 centuries from 34 Tests against India, he leads the chart outright.
Three other players; Ricky Ponting, Viv Richards and Garry Sobers have scored 8 centuries against India while his fellow Aussie, Michael Clarke has 7 alongside five others.
| Name | Team | Centuries | High Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Root | England | 12 | 218 |
| Steve Smith | Australia | 11 | 192 |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | 8 | 257 |
| Viv Richards | West Indies | 8 | 192* |
| Garry Sobers | West Indies | 8 | 198 |
| Shivnarine Chanderpaul | West Indies | 7 | 140 |
| Michael Clarke | Australia | 7 | 329* |
| Alastair Cook | England | 7 | 294 |
| Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 7 | 201* |
| Clive Lloyd | West Indies | 7 | 242* |
| Everton Weekes | West Indies | 7 | 207 |