Youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century

Sachin Tendulkar leads the inspiring list of youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century, with his unbeaten 119 against England in 1990. Discover who else achieved this milestone at an young age.

Snigdha HalderJune 19, 2025 at 01:45 PM5 min read
Youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century
Sachin Tendulkar leads the inspiring list of youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century, with his unbeaten 119 against England in 1990. Discover who else achieved this milestone at an young age.

Every young cricketer dreams of scoring a century for their nation on an international stage. But for a precious few, that dream became a jaw-dropping reality early in their careers.

India has been gifted with such memorable centuries by youngsters who later turned out to be cricketing legends. We are talking about Sachin Tendulkar and his unmatched legacy in the list of the youngest Indians to score an international century.

Check out the other names that follow up with their quality batting skills.

1. Sachin Tendulkar (17 years 107 days) | 1990

Saching Tendulkar tops the list of Youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century | sportzpoint.com
Saching Tendulkar getting praised by fellow cricketers as he walks down after his unbeaten 119 against ENG in 1990. | Mint

Sachin Tendulkar is the youngest Indian cricketer ever and the 3rd youngest overall to score an international century with his maiden century at Old Trafford, in August 1990. At just 17 years and 107 days old, he scored an unbeaten 119 in the fourth innings, helping India to save the Test match against England.

Sachin not only announced his arrival on the global stage with this knock, but also helped India secure a draw in the test.

2. Prithvi Shaw (18 years 329 days) | 2018

Prithvi Shaw is one of the Youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century | sportzpoint.com
Prithvi Shaw celebrating his maiden Test century in 2018. Image | Instagram

Prithvi Shaw became the youngest Indian to score a century on Test debut and the second-youngest in this list of international centuries with his knock against the West Indies in October 2018. He was only 18 years and 329 days old at that time.

He reached his hundred in 99 balls and scored 134 runs in that innings, which marked a spectacular test debut.

3. Kapil Dev (20 years 18 days) | 1979

Kapil Dev is one of the Youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century | sportzpoint.com
Kapil Dev representing India in tests. Image | Khel Now

India's legendary all-rounder, Kapil Dev, holds the third place with his century against the West Indies on home soil in 1979. It was his first test century, at the age of 20 years and 18 days. He was 126 not out in the particular innings.

4. Abbas Ali Baig (20 years 126 days) | 1959

Abbas Ali Baig was one of the Youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century | sportzpoint.com
Abbas Ali Baig representing India. Image | Getty Images

Abbas Ali Baig scored his first test century at the age of 20 years and 126 days against England in July 1959. This made him the first Indian to score a century on Test debut outside India and the fourth youngest centurion in this elite list.

Apart from his brilliant achievements in the field of cricket, he is also famously remembered for being kissed by a female fan during a Test match in Bombay.

5. Madhav Apte (20 years 137 days) | 1953

Madhav Apte is among the Youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century | sportzpoint.com
Madhav Apte batting in a cricket match. Image | Facebook

The former Indian test opener, Madhav Apte, scored his only test century at the age of 20 years 137 days in January 1953 against the West Indies. He made 163 not out in the fifth test of the series.

Despite the impressive century and a good tour, his Test career was surprisingly short-lived, playing only 7 tests.

6. Ajay Ratra (20 years 148 days) | 2002

Ajay Ratra is one of the Youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century | sportzpoint.com
Ajay Ratra representing India in tests. Image | ESPNcricinfo

Ajay Ratra is a former wicket-keeper batter who also had a short-lived test career, comprising 6 test matches. However, he scored an impactful century at only 20 years and 148 days of age, which puts him in the 6th place for the youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century.

He scored this in May 2002 against the West Indies and helped India secure a draw on a flat pitch.

7. Ravi Shastri (20 years 248 days) | 1983

Ravi Shastri is among the Youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century | sportzpoint.com
Ravi Shastri in action for India in tests. Image | BBC

Ravi Shastri scored his first test century in January 1983 at the age of 20 years and 248 days. He scored 128 in that innings against Pakistan's strong pace attack led by Imran Khan.

This innings transitioned him into an opening batsman, showcasing his finest skills and ability to adapt.

8. Vijay Manjrekar (20 years 253 days) | 1952

Vijay Manjrekar is among the Youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century | sportzpoint.com
Vijay Manjrekar playing for India. Image| ESPNcricinfo 

Vijay Manjrekar delivered a key performance on the international stage early in his career with his Test century against England in 1952. At the age of 20 years and 253 days, he stood elegantly against a great English bowling attack.

9. Gundappa Viswanath (20 years 276 days) | 1969

Gundappa Viswanath is one of the Youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century | sportzpoint.com
Gundappa Viswanath representing India in tests. Image | LatestLY

Gundappa Viswanath holds the 9th position with his maiden Test century against Australia in 1969, when he was 20 years and 276 days old. After a duck in his first innings, he bounced back with a magnificent 136 runs in the second innings.

This knock brought him into the limelight at an early age, and also helped the nation see his ability to score under pressure.

10. Rishabh Pant (20 years 338 days) | 2018

Rishabh Pant is one of the Youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century | sportzpoint.com
Rishabh Pant celebrating his maiden Test century in 2018 against England. Image | DNA

Rishabh Pant's aggressive and fearless approach came into light with his maiden Test century at 20 years and 338 days of age, making his way to the Top 10 youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century.

With this performance in 2018, Pant also became the first Indian wicket-keeper to score a test century in England.

Snigdha Halder

Snigdha is an intern at Sportzpoint who is passionate about cricket. Snigdha dedicatedly enjoys the game and staying on top of all news.

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