Sachin Tendulkar’s century at the WACA in Perth during India’s 1991-92 tour of Australia is widely regarded as one of the best Test innings played by a teenager. On one of the fastest and most demanding pitches in world cricket, the 18-year-old stood firm against the opposition’s pace and produced a consistent knock that helped build his reputation at the highest level.
Former teammate Pravin Amre, who was India’s 12th man in the Test and Tendulkar’s roommate on this tour, offered a first-hand account of the innings and its significance. Speaking on The Great Indian Cricket Show on Doordarshan, Amre said, “Of all his hundreds, the one in Perth when he was just 18 stands out. I was the 12th man that day, his roommate, and I saw it all from ground zero.”
The context made the effort all the more remarkable. India struggled in the series and Perth presented a particularly unforgiving environment for the visiting batsmen. Renowned for its steep bounce and raw pace, the WACA surface was riddled with deep cracks on that occasion, making batting a constant test of judgment and courage. Tendulkar faced an Australian attack with Craig McDermott, Merv Hughes and Paul Reiffel, bowlers who thrived in the conditions.
Batting with confidence far beyond his years, Tendulkar compiled 114 runs from 161 ballsovercoming 16 boundaries. He handled the extra bounce with soft hands, trusted his defense and picked scoring opportunities with insight, turning a difficult surface into the stage for one of his first definitive performances.
Amre vividly recalled the state of the pitch while underlining the quality of Tendulkar’s effort. “The pitch had such big cracks that Sachin placed his bat in one and it stood upright,” he said. “Against world-class bowlers, on a surface where the ball could go anywhere, he showed skill, class and thinking beyond his years. That 1992 Perth hundred was one of the best I have ever seen.”
India’s batting faltered repeatedly against Australia during the tour, but Tendulkar’s century stood out as a rare display of resilience and adaptability. It wasn’t just the runs that set the innings apart, but the way he absorbed the pressure and responded to the demands of the conditions.
During the five-match series, Tendulkar emerged as India’s leading run-scorer, amassing 368 runs at an average of 46.00, with two centuries to his credit. In a match dominated by Australia’s fast bowlers, his consistency and composure were remarkable, especially for a player at the very beginning of his international career.
The series ended in a 4–0 defeat for India, but this marked the beginning of Tendulkar’s sustained success in Australian conditions. In 20 Tests in Australia, he scored 1,809 runs at an average of 53.20, including six centuries and seven half-centuries, with a top score of 241 not out.
Among these achievements, the Perth Hundred continues to hold a special place. It remains a defining moment in Tendulkar’s early career, remembered as the innings where the 18-year-old announced himself on one of cricket’s toughest stages and showed he belonged there.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
January 3, 2026
