Shikhar Dhawan becomes first Indian to score Test century before lunch

Shikhar Dhawan today (Thursday) became the first Indian cricketer to score a century before lunch on the first day of a Test match. The Delhi and India opener has thus joined an esteemed list of cricketers, including the legendary Don Bradman.

The explosive Indian opener hammered 19 fours and 3 sixes as he reached his century in just 91 balls on the opening day of the historic India-Afghanistan Test match at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to complete his century before lunch.

Afghanistan bowlers were at the receiving end of Dhawan’s flamboyance in their debut Test. Dhawan has become the sixth Test player ever to score a century before lunch on the opening day of a match.

Last year, Australia’s dashing opener David Warner scored 100 not out before lunch against Pakistan. The elite club includes four Australians – Victor Trumper, Charlie Macartney, Sir Don and Warner.

Trumper (103 not out before lunch) against England in 1902, Macartney (112 not out) against England in 1926 and Sir Don (105 not out) against England in 1930 and former Pakistan opener Majid Khan (108 not out) against New Zealand in 1976 are the other players to have accomplished the feat.

Before Dhawan, the previous record for best score for India in the first session was held by Virender Sehwag, who had scored 99 runs in St Lucia against West Indies in 2006.

It was Dhawan’s 7th Test century in 30 matches. India are playing the historic match without the services of regular skipper Virat Kohli.Afghanistan was granted Test status in June last year along with Ireland.

Read More:

Shikhar Dhawan becomes first Indian to score Test century before lunch