India’s Test cricket history boasts several elite wicketkeeper-batters who have combined sharp glovework with impactful batting performances. These crucial innings have often played pivotal roles in memorable Indian victories.
Among these wicketkeeper-batters, three stand out for scoring the most Test centuries for India:
1. Rishabh Pant – 6 centuries (58 innings)
Rishabh Pant is widely regarded as a legend in the making, destined to be one of India’s greatest red-ball cricketers. Making his Test debut at just 20 on challenging English pitches, Pant’s career took off when he scored a brilliant 114 in the final match of the tour, nearly leading India to an improbable 464-run chase.
Pant’s career-best 159* came in a historic series win in Australia, while his match-winning century against England in Ahmedabad further cemented his reputation. His 100* in South Africa and 146 at Edgbaston in 2022 were fighting knocks that came in hostile away conditions, showcasing his ability to deliver under pressure. In September 2024, Pant equalled his idol MS Dhoni with his sixth Test century, doing so in just 58 innings.
2. MS Dhoni – 6 centuries (144 innings)
Former Indian captain MS Dhoni, one of the greatest wicketkeeper-batters in world cricket, also notched six Test centuries during his illustrious career from 2005 to 2014. His maiden century came just a month after his debut, when he hammered 148 off 153 balls against Pakistan.
Dhoni had to wait over three years for his next century but then hit three tons in quick succession. His career highlight came in 2013, when he scored a brilliant 224 against Australia in Chennai. Notably, none of Dhoni’s centuries resulted in an Indian loss, with four contributing to emphatic home victories.
3. Wriddhiman Saha – 3 centuries (54 innings)
Wriddhiman Saha, who succeeded Dhoni as India’s primary wicketkeeper, scored three centuries in his 40-Test career. His first came in 2016 on a difficult West Indian pitch, where he played a crucial role in a 213-run partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin. He followed this with two more centuries in 2017, including a match-saving knock against Australia in Ranchi.
