India vs West Indies 2025: Four Indian openers with 10+ Test centuries
A look at the four Indian openers who have scored 10 or more Test centuries, highlighting their achievements and consistency at the top of the order in India’s long-format cricket history.
India’s new Test series in whites began against West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, and KL Rahul rose to the occasion with a composed century on Day 2 of the opening Test. His knock gave solidity to India’s batting display.
Resuming his innings on 53 overnight, Rahul batted with patience and precision, converting his start into three figures. He reached the milestone in style, flicking West Indies skipper Roston Chase through mid-wicket. Rahul went into the lunch break unbeaten on 100, showcasing calm control and sound technique against spin and pace alike.
However, his stay ended soon after lunch. In the very first over of the second session, he attempted an uppish drive off Jomel Warrican but was caught at cover. Rahul finished with exactly 100 runs from 197 deliveries, laced with 12 crisp boundaries. It marked his 11th Test century overall, and notably, his 10th while opening the innings.
India’s Test Openers with 10 or More Centuries:
With that in mind, here’s a look at the four Indian batters who have achieved the milestone of scoring 10 or more Test centuries as openers. Each of them has consistently delivered at the top, playing crucial knocks and setting strong foundations for Team India in the longest format of the game.
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Sunil Gavaskar (33 Centuries)
Sunil Gavaskar, one of India’s greatest cricketing icons, featured in 125 Test matches, accumulating 10,122 runs at an impressive average of 51.12. He struck 34 centuries and 45 fifties, with 33 of those tons coming as an opener. In 119 Tests at the top, he recorded 9,607 runs at an average of 50.29.
His highest score as an opener was a memorable 221 against England at The Oval in 1979, where he almost guided India to a historic chase of 438. Other standout knocks included 220 against the West Indies in Port of Spain (1971) and 205 at Wankhede (1978). Out of his 33 hundreds as opener, 15 came at home and 18 overseas.
Interestingly, Gavaskar’s career-best score of 236* was his only Test double-century not made as an opener. Batting at No. 4 against the West Indies in Chennai (1983), he produced the marathon innings after India lost two early wickets without scoring.
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Virender Sehwag (22 centuries)
Virender Sehwag, the explosive former Indian opener, featured in 104 Test matches, scoring 8,586 runs at an average of 49.34. He registered 23 centuries and 32 fifties, with 98 of his matches spent opening the innings. Except for his debut century against South Africa in Bloemfontein (2001), all his other tons came as an opener.
Sehwag’s highest score was 319 against South Africa in Chennai (2008). He also recorded 309 versus Pakistan in Multan (2004) and 293 against Sri Lanka at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium (2009). Known for his aggressive batting, he crossed 200 runs six times in Tests, producing match-defining innings on multiple occasions.
Of his 22 centuries as an opener, 13 were at home and nine abroad. Memorable overseas hundreds include 195 in Melbourne (2003), 106 in Nottingham (2002), and 151 in Adelaide (2008), showcasing his ability to dominate in challenging conditions.
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Murali Vijay (12 centuries)
Murali Vijay, often underrated, featured in 61 Test matches for India between 2008 and 2018, scoring 3,982 runs at an average of 38.28. He registered 12 centuries and 15 fifties, opening the innings in 57 matches, with all his big scores coming while opening the batting.
Vijay’s highest Test score was 167 against Australia in Hyderabad in 2013. Notably, four of his 12 hundreds came against the Aussies. Other standout innings include 139 in Bengaluru (2010), 153 in Mohali (2013), and 144 in Brisbane (2014). He was also unfortunate to be dismissed for 99 in Adelaide in 2014.
Of his 12 Test centuries, nine came on home soil and three abroad. In addition to his 144 in Brisbane, he scored 146 against England in Nottingham (2014) and 150 versus Bangladesh in Fatullah (2015), highlighting his ability to perform in diverse conditions.
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KL Rahul (10 centuries)
KL Rahul is featuring in his 54th Test as an opener. Across 94 innings in this role, he has amassed 3,435 runs at an average of 37.74, including 10 centuries and 16 fifties. His highest score of 199 came against England in Chennai in December 2016. Notably, eight of his ten hundreds as an opener have come in away matches.
Rahul has been particularly successful in England, scoring four centuries: 149 at The Oval (2018), 137 in Leeds (2025), 129 at Lord’s (2021), and 100 at Lord’s (2025). Other memorable tons include 123 against South Africa in Centurion (2021) and 110 against Australia in Sydney (2015).
His only Test century while batting lower down the order came against South Africa in Centurion during the 2023 Boxing Day Test. Batting at No. 6, he scored 101 off 137 balls, including 14 fours and four sixes, though India lost the match by an innings and 32 runs.
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