Shikhar Dhawan is the toast of India after his century on debut against Australia in Mohali but he says his biggest fans are back “home” in Australia.

The Delhi-born 27-year-old with the substantial moustache was unbeaten on 185 from just 168 balls at stumps on Saturday’s third day of play in the third cricket Test against Australia.

Dhawan has set records for the highest score by an Indian player on debut and the fastest century (85 balls) by any player in Test cricket on debut.

“I have an Australian wife,” said Dhawan, who batted like a cyclone against Australia’s hapless bowlers.

“She is half-Bengali and half-British and lives in Melbourne.

“I have got two daughters in Melbourne and I would like to thank them because they have been praying for me a lot back home and it is a great moment for me and my family.

“I was nervous that I would get a duck again against Australia but everything went well and I am really happy. It was very satisfying.

“I just wanted to respect their good deliveries and if I got a loose ball I just went for my shots.”

Dhawan said receiving his Test cap from teammate and the game’s leading runscorer Sachin Tendulkar was a great moment.

“As a kid you dream that you can play with Sachin,” he said.

“(Sachin) said to me ‘you are known as a gutsy player and we’d like to see your gutsy nature and shots here’.”