Australian batter Steve Smith smashed his 34th test century during the fourth test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy helping the hosts to command India with a total of 474.
He went on to score 140 runs and smash multiple records, becoming the player with the most centuries against India. He reached the milestone in 43 innings while Root achieved 10 hundreds in 55.
The list includes several names like Sir Garfield, Sobers, Sir Vivian Richards and Ricky Ponting, who each scored eight centuries against India.
Steve Smith‘s (fifth) at MCG placed him ahead of Sir Allan Border, Bill Lawry, Ricky Ponting and Greg Chappell, who had 4 centuries each at the venue.
11 Test 100s for Steve Smith against India! More than anyone else in history 👏 #AUSvIND | #MilestoneMoment | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/SO8tnwPds4
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2024
With 34 test hundreds, he has now surpassed New Zealand’s Kane Williamson in the tally of centuries.
Smith’s overall test record now boasts 34 centuries, the second highest for an Australian behind Ricky Ponting’s 41. He has joined the list of players including Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, Younis Khan, and Mahela Jayawardene, all of whom also have 34 test centuries.
Smith in now tied for seventh place on the all time of century makers, which is led by India’s 51 centuries. In his 113 test career, Smith has 9949 runs with an average of 56.85, complemented by 34 centuries and 41 half centuries.
Smith’s ton has helped Australia to cross 400 run mark and reached 454 for seven at lunch on day two of the Boxing Day test against India.
Resuming the match on day 02, Australia pressed on the advantage with contributions from Steven Smith and Pat Cummins.
Earlier on day 01, top order batters Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja and Labuschagne made a solid start for Australia smashing half centuries each boosting the total to 300 run mark.
Bumrah picked four wickets while Jadeja secured three wickets with Akash Deep bagging 2 wickets for India at Melbourne Cricket Ground.