Most Test centuries in losing causes – Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar near unmatched

Jonhenry Wilson 20 Feb 2025

Shivnarine Chanderpaul bats for West Indies

Shivnarine Chanderpaul hit nine centuries in Test matches West Indies lost.

A century is a fantastic achievement no matter what. It should be a thing to celebrate, and normally it is. But the reality is that cricket’s a team sport, and individual achievements count a whole lot less than team success. This is why it can be difficult for batsmen who score centuries, but whose teams go on to lose the game.

You want to celebrate your achievement, but with a loss as the backdrop, it really isn’t much of an occasion.

While some players make a habit of scoring tons as part of wins, there are some batsmen who seem to have their three-figure successes more commonly associated with losses. The main reason for this is probably that they are excellent batsmen in weaker teams – although this isn’t always the case.

Let’s have a look at the batsmen who have scored the most centuries as part of losing causes.

6. Andy Flower (Zimbabwe) – 7 Test centuries in losing causes

Andy Flower was the backbone of Zimbabwe’s batting lineup throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. A technically sound left-hander, he often carried his team’s batting, regularly scoring runs while others struggled. Unfortunately, Zimbabwe’s limited success at the international level meant that many of his outstanding performances ended in defeat.

His seven centuries in losing causes are a testament to both his brilliance and Zimbabwe’s struggles against top-tier opposition.

One of Flower’s most memorable knocks in a losing cause was his 183* against India in Delhi in 2000, where he single-handedly tried to guide Zimbabwe to victory but lacked the necessary support from his teammates.

His first innings ton was followed by a second innings 70, but India went on to win by seven wickets. His ability to perform under pressure and in difficult conditions made him one of Zimbabwe’s greatest cricketers.

Also read: Top 10 highest scores on ODI debut – Matthew Breetzke beats Desmond Haynes’ world record

5. Mohammad Azharuddin (India) – 7 Test centuries in losing causes

Former skipper Mohammad Azharuddin was one of India’s most stylish batsmen, known for his wristy stroke play and impeccable timing. While he led India to several victories as both a captain and a batsman, there were occasions when his personal brilliance was overshadowed by the team’s failures.

With seven centuries in losing causes, Azharuddin found himself in situations where his efforts were not enough to prevent defeat.

One such instance was his remarkable 106 against Australia in Adelaide in 1992, a knock filled with elegant strokes that ultimately ended in a losing effort. Despite being part of an Indian team that was often very competitive, Azharuddin’s individual brilliance sometimes went unrewarded.

4. Mohammad Yousuf (Pakistan) – 8 Test centuries in losing causes

Mohammad Yousuf was one of Pakistan’s most prolific run-scorers, particularly during the 2000s. A master of timing and placement, he had the ability to accumulate runs effortlessly. However, despite his brilliance with the bat, Pakistan had its fair share of struggles, particularly in overseas conditions.

Yousuf’s eight centuries in losing causes highlight his consistency, even in matches where Pakistan fell short. His 2006 season was one of the best in history, with multiple centuries, but even then, some of his finest performances went in vain.

A prime example is his 192 against England at Headingly in 2006 – an outstanding knock that showcased his class but ultimately could not prevent Pakistan from losing. That game saw Yousuf and Younis Khan share a 363-run stand for the third wicket as Pakistan posted a first innings score of 538 – it wasn’t enough though as they collapsed to 155 all out in the second innings.

3. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies) – 9 Test centuries in losing causes

Shivnarine Chanderpaul is often regarded as one of the most resilient and unorthodox batsmen in cricket history. Playing for a West Indies side that was often in decline after the glory days of the 1980s and early 1990s, Chanderpaul had to dig deep on numerous occasions to keep his team competitive.

His nine centuries in losing causes illustrate how frequently he fought alone while the rest of the batting order crumbled around him. His battling second knock of 116* against England at Old Trafford in 2007 is a perfect example of this – a lone warrior standing tall in a struggling team. Chanderpaul’s dogged determination and ability to anchor an innings made him a formidable opponent, even when victory was out of reach.

2. Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 11 Test centuries in losing causes

It goes without saying that Sachin Tendulkar was one of the greatest batsmen of all time, and his records are a testament to his extraordinary career. With 100 international centuries to his name, it is no surprise that some of them came in losing efforts.

Tendulkar’s 11 centuries in losing causes stem from his long career and the fact that he often carried India’s batting, particularly in the 1990s when the team was not as strong as it became in the 2000s.

One of his most heartbreaking centuries was his 154 against Australia in Sydney in 2008. In a high-scoring game Tendulkar and VVS Laxman both scored centuries as India claimed a first innings lead, only to fall apart in the second innings with Michael Clarke returning figures of three for five.

1. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 14 Test centuries in losing causes

At the top of this list is Brian Lara, one of the most breathtaking batsmen the game has ever seen. Lara was a genius with the bat, capable of playing innings of staggering brilliance. However, playing for a West Indies side that was no longer the dominant force it had been in the past, many of his centuries came in losing causes.

Lara’s 14 centuries in losing efforts highlight both his immense talent and the struggles of the West Indies team during his era. His most famous knock in a losing cause is arguably his 226 against Australia in Adelaide in 2005.

While it was an innings of immense skill and dominance, the West Indies still fell short. His ability to score massive runs against the best bowling attacks in the world made him a legend, even if those runs didn’t always lead to victories.