South African pacer Kagiso Rabada’s opening spell left the Indian top-order reeling at 39-3 in the first session of Day 1 of the third Test in Ranchi. However, opening batsman Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane joined forces to rescue India’s ship with an unbeaten 185-run partnership. Rohit Sharma, who made his debut as a Test opener in the ongoing series, smashed his sixth ton on his way to 117 not out from just 164 balls.

Top centuries by Indian openers in home Tests

As Rohit Sharma’s slammed his third century of the series, let’s take a look at some of the best centuries scored by Indian opening batsmen in recent memory at home.

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3. Shikhar Dhawan – 187 vs Australia (Mohali, 2013)

The stylish left-handed batsman made his debut in the third Test during Australia’s tour of India in 2013. After the visitors posted 408 batting first, Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan replied with swashbuckling maiden Test century on his way to 187. His innings came off just 174 balls which included 33 fours and two sixes.

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2. Gautam Gambhir – 201 vs Australia (Delhi, 2008)

The Australian team visited India for Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2008. Having taken a 1-0 lead in the four-match series, the Indian team batted first and posted a mammoth 613-7d in their first innings. Opening batsman Gautam Gambhir registered his highest Test score in his marathon 9-hour stay at the crease. Gambhir scored 206 runs with 26 boundaries and one six.

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1. Virender Sehwag – 319 vs South Africa (Chennai, 2008)

Batting in his usual destructive mode, the opener’s colossal triple-century was India’s only second individual triple hundred in Test matches. In his 9-hour stay at the crease, the right-hander smashed the likes of Dale Steyn, Makhaya Nitini and Morne Morkel to all corners of the ground. His 319 off 304 balls came at a strike-rate of 104.93 and his innings included 42 boundaries and 5 towering sixes.  

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