Steve Smith busts Virat Kohli's massive record with robust century in 2nd Test vs Sri Lanka

Australian batting maestro Steve Smith achieved a remarkable feat on Friday, surpassing Virat Kohli's record for the most Test centuries scored away from home. Smith's 36th Test hundred, achieved during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, propelled him past Kohli's previous record.

Steve Smith now holds the record for most away Test centuries among active players, with 17 compared to Virat Kohli's 16. At the end of the day's play, Smith remained unbeaten with a score of 120, contributing significantly to Australia's impressive total of 330/3. This gave Australia a substantial 73-run lead in the first innings.

On the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka, Steve Smith reached his milestone century.  He achieved this feat by hitting a boundary off Kamindu Mendis, marking his seventh Test hundred in subcontinent conditions.

Among active players, Steve Smith leads the pack with 18 away Test centuries.  Virat Kohli follows closely behind with 17, while Joe Root has 15.  Kane Williamson and Cheteshwar Pujara have scored 11 and nine away Test centuries, respectively.

With his latest century, Steve Smith has now equaled Rahul Dravid and Joe Root's record of 36 Test hundreds, placing him fifth on the all-time list. He now sets his sights on surpassing Kumar Sangakkara's total of 38 Test centuries.

Steve Smith reached his 36th Test century in 206 innings, a feat bettered only by his fellow Australian, Ricky Ponting, who achieved the same milestone in 200 innings. Smith's century on Friday was compiled from 191 deliveries and included nine fours and one six.