5 renowned Indian batters with fewer Test centuries than Shubman Gill’s 10, featuring Kapil Dev

Team India skipper Shubman Gill once again led from the front during the second Test against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday, October 11. On Day 2, the right-handed batter crafted an unbeaten 129 off 196 deliveries, featuring 16 boundaries and two sixes, helping India declare their first innings at 518/5. This marked Gill’s 10th Test century, his first against the Windies, and his fifth on home soil.

The 26-year-old has been in sensational form with the bat, carrying forward his overseas momentum from the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, where he scored 754 runs in 10 innings, including a double hundred and three centuries. His consistency at the No. 4 position has made him indispensable for India in the middle order.

With five Test centuries in a single calendar year as captain, Gill has equalled former India captain Virat Kohli’s record, further cementing his status as one of the premier batters in the world and a leader who leads by example.

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Five iconic Indian batters with fewer Test centuries than Shubman Gill:

This article highlights five well-known former Indian batters who have fewer Test centuries than Shubman Gill. The list includes current India head coach Gautam Gambhir, ex-captain MS Dhoni, and Navjot Singh Sidhu, showcasing how Gill’s consistency has placed him ahead of some iconic names in Indian cricket history.

• Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev, the iconic World Cup-winning captain, remains one of India’s finest Test all-rounders. Representing the national side from 1979 to 1993, he scored 5,248 runs in 131 Tests, registering eight centuries. His maiden Test hundred came against a strong West Indies side on their home turf in 1979.

Over his career, Kapil also recorded memorable centuries in England and South Africa. Much like MS Dhoni, he often batted lower down the order, limiting his chances to build big scores. Despite this, he contributed significantly, scoring 2,861 runs and five tons at No. 7 and 1,777 runs with two centuries at No. 8, showcasing his ability to rescue India from tough situations.

• MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni, India’s former captain, is best remembered for his white-ball brilliance but also had a notable Test career, featuring in 90 matches. He registered his maiden Test century with a brilliant 148 against Pakistan in 2006, followed by two more tons in 2009 and one each in 2010 and 2011. His highest Test score came in 2013 — a commanding 224 against Australia at home.

Dhoni announced his unexpected retirement from Tests during the 2014–15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He finished with 4,876 runs, including six centuries. Often batting at No. 7 alongside tail-enders, Dhoni had limited opportunities to play long innings, yet his resilience and counterattacking ability made him one of India’s most dependable lower-order batters.

• Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir emerged as one of India’s most promising openers after making his Test debut in 2004. He scored his maiden Test hundred against Bangladesh in just his fifth match. Though his next century came four years later, Gambhir roared back in 2008 with three centuries and over 1,000 runs in the calendar year, reaffirming his class at the top.

In 2009, the Delhi batter maintained his form, amassing 727 runs, including four centuries. However, after his 116 against Bangladesh in 2010, he struggled to convert starts into hundreds and went century-less until his final Test in 2016. Across 54 matches, Gambhir accumulated 4,154 runs at an average of 41.95, with nine centuries to his name.

• Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan made an unforgettable entry into Test cricket, smashing 187 runs on debut against Australia. Known for his attacking style, the left-hander often turned his starts into big scores, producing memorable knocks like 173 against Bangladesh and 190 versus Sri Lanka. His fearless approach and ability to dominate bowlers made him a delight to watch in the longer format.

However, Dhawan’s inconsistency kept him from cementing a regular spot in the Test lineup. His final Test century came against Afghanistan in 2018. Despite limited opportunities, the Delhi batter featured in 34 matches, accumulating 2,315 runs at an average of 40.61, including seven centuries—cementing his reputation as one of India’s most dynamic openers.

• Navjot Singh Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu, now a well-known commentator, enjoyed a long and eventful Test career for India between 1983 and 1999. Much like Gautam Gambhir, the flamboyant opener registered nine Test centuries. It took him five years to notch up his maiden ton, scoring 116 against New Zealand, before marking his first overseas century against the West Indies in 1989.

After enduring a few quiet years, Sidhu returned strongly with twin centuries in both 1993 and 1994. His standout year came in 1997 when he piled up 720 runs, including three centuries. Across 51 Tests, the Punjab batter accumulated 3,202 runs at an impressive average of 42.13, with his highest score being 201 in the West Indies.