Sourav Ganguly joined an elite club of Indian cricketers © Getty Images

Sourav Ganguly became the seventh Indian to play a 100 Tests as India kicked off their series against Australia in Melbourne on Boxing Day. He was the third fastest Indian to reach the mark, though at 35 years and 170 days, he was also the oldest.

Ganguly was honoured with a silver plaque, presented to him by the secretary of the Indian board, Niranjan Shah, once the national anthems were done with. Anil Kumble, the Indian captain who has also played 100 Tests, joined him for a photo shoot a few minutes later.

Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, standing either side of Ganguly when the national anthems were played out, are the other members of this side to reach the 100-Test mark. Interestingly Dravid, who made his debut alongside Gangluly in the Lord's Test of 1996, was the quickest Indian to reach the landmark.

Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar, the current chairman of selectors, are the other Indians to have achieved the feat. All seven members of the 100-Tests club have also led India in Tests.