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When we talk about the centuries in world cricket, one name that outshines all others is Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, fondly known as “The God of Cricket,” with a record 100 international hundreds to his name. What makes his feat even more remarkable is his dominance against Australia, the toughest team of his era, as he scored 20 centuries in total, including 11 in Tests and 9 in ODIs.

Tendulkar’s centuries against Australia are among the finest chapters in cricket history, showcasing his brilliance, composure, and mental toughness against one of the strongest teams in the world. Across formats and in every condition, whether at home, away, or on neutral grounds, the Little Master mastered the art of scoring runs against the mighty Australians. His consistency against world-class bowlers like McGrath, Warne, and Lee reflects his unmatched skill, tough mindset, and determination to win in the game.

Sachin has played some truly memorable centuries both in home and away conditions. Among his away performances, the most unforgettable was his 241 not out at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the fourth Test of the 2004 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This innings was a perfect demonstration of Sachin’s patience and sheer determination to succeed against Australia on their home turf.

Sachin’s most memorable white-ball centuries include his 175 in the fifth ODI of Australia’s tour to India in 2009 at Hyderabad. Chasing a massive 350, Sachin stood firm at one end and played a masterful innings, scoring 175 runs. Despite his heroics, India lost the match, as no other batsman could contribute significantly. Other unforgettable centuries include his centuries in both finals of the Coca-Cola Cup in 1998, where he dominated the Australian attack in Sharjah, and his century at Brisbane in the first final of the CB Series in 2008, where he once again led India with a brilliant display of timing, shot selection, and composure under pressure.

Why Sachin’s 20 Centuries Against Australia Reflect Greatness?

Sachin’s centuries against Australia were hugely significant, not just for India’s victories but also for his legacy as one of cricket’s all-time greats. Every hundred he scored against the Aussies carried extra weight because those tons were more than just runs; they were a statement against the domination of the greatest team of that era.

At that time, Sachin tested every Australian bowler’s technique and temperament. He not only survived the fiercest attacks from McGrath, Brett Lee, and Shane Warne but often thrived against them. His centuries symbolised mastery under pressure. While facing lethal pace and bounce on the fast pitches of Melbourne and Sydney, he produced historic innings like 241 in Sydney in 2004 and 153 at Adelaide Oval in 2008, leaving an enduring mark on cricket history.

Sachin was even more dangerous in home conditions against Australian bowlers, often dominating to such an extent that bowlers feared delivering to him once he was in his rhythm. Some of his most memorable performances in India include 177 in Bengaluru in 1998 and 175 in Hyderabad in 2009. His innings were never just about statistics, runs, or records; they earned him respect and admiration even from his rivals. Australian players like Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting have often admitted that Sachin was the toughest batsman they ever bowled to.

Top 5 Indians to Have the Most Centuries Against Australia

1. Sachin Tendulkar – 20 Tons

  • Sachin Tendulkar represented India from 1989 to 2013.
  • Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most centuries against Australia, scoring a remarkable 20 centuries in total, which includes 11 in Tests and 9 in ODIs. He achieved this feat in 110 matches against the Aussies, maintaining an impressive average of 49.68 and a strike rate of 68.84.
  • Beyond his centuries, Sachin is also the highest run-scorer against Australia in cricket history, amassing a phenomenal 6,707 runs across formats.

2. Virat Kohli – 17 tons

  • Virat Kohli has been playing for India since 2008.
  • Virat Kohli, often known as King Kohli, has amassed 17 centuries against Australia, including 8 in ODIs and 9 in Tests, scoring over 5,500 runs in 106 matches.
  • Kohli has built a reputation for thrashing Australia in their own backyard, where he has scored an incredible 3,690 runs with 12 centuries. Grounds like Perth and Adelaide are often referred to as his hunting grounds.

3. VVS Laxman – 10 tons

  • VVS Laxman represented India from 1996 to 2012.
  • V.V.S. Laxman has amassed 10 centuries against Australia in his career, which includes 6 in Tests and 4 in ODIs.
  • Laxman has many memorable performances against Australia. His most iconic performance came in what is remembered as “The Miracle of Eden Gardens,” where he scored a historic 281 runs in the second innings of the 2001 Kolkata Test after India was forced to follow on.

4. Rohit Sharma – 10 tons

  • Rohit Sharma has been playing for India since 2007.
  • Sharma has 10 centuries against Australia, including 9 in ODIs and 1 in Tests. Sharma is also known for his double century against Australia, which came in 2013 when he scored 209 runs in an ODI in Bengaluru, becoming the only person to score a double hundred against the Kangaroos in ODIs.
  • Recently, Rohit has become the batsman with the highest runs and most centuries against Australia in Australia in ODIs.

5. Sunil Gavaskar – 8 Tons

  • Sunil Gavaskar represented India from 1971 to 1983.
  • He amassed 8 centuries against Australia, all of which came in Test matches.
  • Gavaskar’s finest innings came in the 1977–78 series at Brisbane, where he scored a brilliant 113 in the first innings and 118 in the second, becoming one of the few players to score a century in both innings of a Test against Australia.

This article first appeared on Crictoday and was syndicated with permission.

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