The Indian cricket landscape is witnessing the meteoric rise of a new star, Yashasvi Jaiswal, whose bat is scripting history with every innings he plays. Since his Test debut in July 2023 against the West Indies, Jaiswal has become the center of attention with a staggering 171 runs in his maiden Test match. His recent performances in the Test series against England have transformed him into the nation’s cricketing sensation.
In the third Test at Rajkot, a match that India clinched with a staggering 434-run victory, Jaiswal shattered a multitude of records. The most resonant of these is the obliteration of Virender Sehwag’s all-time record for maximum sixes in a calendar year by an Indian batsman, a feat that Jaiswal achieved in just 55 days of the new year 2024. Sehwag’s previous record stood at 22 sixes, accumulated over 27 innings in 2008. In stark contrast, Jaiswal, seemingly on a six-hitting spree, smashed 23 sixes in the mere nine innings he played in the early part of 2024.
The dynamism of Jaiswal’s bat is highlighted by the tally of 618 runs he’s garnered in just seven innings, a testament to the youngster’s prowess and remarkable consistency. The list of Indians who have hit the most sixes in a calendar year in Test cricket now reads as a who’s who of explosive batting, with Jaiswal firmly at the pinnacle:
– Yashasvi Jaiswal: 23 sixes in 2024*
– Virender Sehwag: 22 sixes in 2008
– Rishabh Pant: 21 sixes in 2022
– Rohit Sharma: 20 sixes in 2019
– Mayank Agarwal: 18 sixes in 2019
Apart from his six-hitting exploits, Jaiswal has also etched his name in cricketing folklore as only the second Indian to amass over 600 runs in a Test series before reaching the age of 23. He joins an elite list of batting maestros, including the likes of Sir Don Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers, Graeme Smith, and Sunil Gavaskar among a mere seven players worldwide.
On Day 2 of the India vs England 4th Test match, held at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, Jaiswal’s bat, however, was silenced at 73 runs by the breakthrough ball from Shoaib Bashir—a rare sight in a series dominated by his willow.
Jaiswal’s journey mirrors the dreams of millions and stands as a beacon of hope for young cricketers. Coming from a humble background, with a passion for cricket that saw him live in a tent on the cricket grounds of Azad Maidan in Mumbai during his early years, his ascent has been nothing short of a fairy tale. From selling panipuris to tide over financial constraints, to now selling fear in the hearts of bowlers with his six-hitting gusto, his journey is a narrative of sheer determination and indomitable spirit.
Jaiswal’s extraordinary talent and dedication have already drawn comparisons with some of the greatest names in cricket. Analysts, former players, and fans alike are marveling at his technical prowess, composure, and aggressive batting style, which have become the hallmarks of his game.
As the cricketing fraternity watches with bated breath, one thing is certain: Yashasvi Jaiswal is not just breaking records; he’s forging a legacy that could redefine the annals of Indian cricket for years to come. With the 2024 calendar year still unfolding, one can only imagine the heights this young prodigy will scale, and the records he will rewrite, with his stupendous flair for the game.
