Ashwin’s Hidden Batting Prowess: The Top Batters He’s Beaten in Test Hundreds

Ravichandran Ashwin is widely celebrated for his off-spin wizardry, with over 700 international wickets to his name, yet his batting ability often flies under the radar. With six Test centuries, Ashwin’s achievements with the bat put him ahead of several renowned Test batters, some of whom were far more specialized in their craft. In fact, Ashwin has more Test centuries than a number of recognized top-order players. Here’s a look at some notable names Ashwin has surpassed in terms of centuries scored, highlighting his hidden batting prowess.

Temba Bavuma

Temba Bavuma, South Africa's current Test captain, is renowned for his determined batting and tenacious performances. However, his conversion rate from half-centuries to hundreds has been a major disappointment in his career. In 59 Tests and 101 innings, Bavuma has crossed the 50-run mark 23 times but has only managed to convert two of those into centuries.

Arjuna Ranatunga

Arjuna Ranatunga, the former captain of Sri Lanka, guided his team through a golden period, highlighted by their iconic victory in the 1996 World Cup. While Ranatunga was an instrumental figure in Sri Lankan cricket, his tally of Test centuries is relatively modest given his long career. In 93 Tests and 156 innings, Ranatunga notched up only four centuries, despite crossing 50 on 38 other occasions.

Sarfaraz Ahmed

Pakistan’s Sarfaraz Ahmed has had a rollercoaster Test career, with impressive performances in key matches, particularly in 2014 when he scored three centuries. However, like Bavuma, Sarfaraz has often struggled to convert his numerous half-centuries into hundreds. In 54 Tests, he has 25 scores of 50+, but only four of those have been converted into three figures.

Martin Guptill

Martin Guptill is primarily celebrated for his outstanding performances in white-ball cricket, where he has consistently been a match-winner for New Zealand in limited-overs formats. However, his Test career didn’t quite achieve the same level of success. In 47 Tests, Guptill amassed over 2,500 runs but converted only three of his 20 half-centuries into centuries.

Jonty Rhodes

Jonty Rhodes, regarded as one of the finest fielders in cricket history, also had a commendable Test career with the bat. Over 52 Tests, Rhodes scored over 2,500 runs at an average of 35.66, but he managed only three centuries. Despite 20 half-centuries, Rhodes struggled to push beyond that milestone, scoring his final two tons in the twilight of his career in 1998.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s six Test centuries place him ahead of several accomplished specialist batters, underscoring the hidden batting prowess he possesses. Despite playing as a bowler, Ashwin has outscored some well-known top-order players in terms of hundreds, adding immense value to the Indian team, particularly in situations that require resilience and determination.

Whether it’s Bavuma’s inability to convert starts, Ranatunga’s limited century tally over a long career, or Sarfaraz’s untapped potential as a wicketkeeper-batter, Ashwin’s superior batting record stands out. His centuries are not merely statistical anomalies—they reflect his determination to contribute with the bat whenever his team needs him.