Australian cricketer Josh Inglis etched his name in the record books with a sensational century on his Test debut against Sri Lanka at the Galle Cricket Stadium. The wicketkeeper-batter reached his hundred in just 90 balls, making him the second-fastest Test debutant to achieve this feat, behind Shikhar Dhawan’s 85-ball ton against Australia in 2013 at Mohali. Inglis’ innings came during Australia’s first innings after they opted to bat first. The 29-year-old walked in following a dominant 266-run stand for the third wicket between Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith. Making the most of his opportunity, he played a fluent knock, becoming the third centurion for Australia in the innings.

His achievement marks a significant milestone, as he is the first Australian since Adam Voges in 2015 to score a Test century on debut. Additionally, Inglis became only the fourth batter in history to reach a hundred in fewer than 100 balls on his maiden Test appearance.Australia’s batting performance was nothing short of remarkable. Usman Khawaja led the charge with a double-century (232), while Steve Smith notched up his 35th Test ton, scoring 141. Earlier, Travis Head provided an explosive start with a quickfire 57 off 40 balls. Their efforts helped Australia surpass the 600-run mark, putting them in a commanding position.

With regular captain Pat Cummins unavailable due to personal reasons, Smith took over the leadership duties. Australia has already secured a place in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final, where they will face South Africa at Lord’s starting June 11, aiming for back-to-back titles.While Inglis is a prominent figure in Australia’s white-ball setup, his red-ball prowess is now gaining recognition. He was a part of the squad that clinched the 2021 T20 World Cup but did not play a match. However, he played a crucial role in Australia’s victorious 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, featuring in 10 out of 11 matches, including the semi-final and final.

Looking ahead, Inglis is set to feature for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, further expanding his T20 credentials.Josh Inglis’ debut century has firmly established him as a rising star in Australian cricket. His ability to adapt across formats makes him a valuable asset for the national team. As Australia eyes further success in Test cricket and beyond, Inglis’ performance will be one to watch in the coming years.