Yashasvi Jaiswal Has His Name Etched in History Books with Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar After Iconic Test Ton in Leeds

Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a century on his first Test match in England, putting himself at par with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar.

Yashasvi Jaiswal Has His Name Etched in History Books with Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar After Iconic Test Ton in Leeds

Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a historic century against England at Leeds, putting him in elite list with Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar. (via News 18)

Young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal stole the spotlight on the first day of the opening Test match between India and England, with an impressive century. The 23-year-old left-handed batter etched his name in history books, alongside cricketing greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar. 

After being asked to bat first by England, a new-look Team India got off to a brilliant start at Headingley in Leeds. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul put India at a comfortable position before the fall of the first wicket. The duo stitched a 91-run partnership off just 151 deliveries, before Rahul was dismissed for 42 runs in the 25th over, caught by Joe Root at first slip off Brydon Carse‘s bowling.

Rahul’s wicket was followed by a brief collapse of the Indian top-order, which saw Sai Sudharsan getting out for a duck. The Tamil Nadu batter, in his first Test match for India, was deceived by England skipper Ben Stokes with a great delivery, as he was caught down leg. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal continued the onslaught against the English bowlers, and was assisted by skipper Shubman Gill.

The 23-year-old then got to his hundred with a single off Brydon Carse’s delivery in the 49th over, taking his helmet off before leaping in joy. Jaiswal and Gill forged a much-needed 129 run stand for the third wicket, to take India’s score past the 200-run mark. England could finally get the wicket of the young Indian opener in the 53rd over of the match, as Ben Stokes’ rattled his stumps with a length delivery.

Jaiswal’s fifth Test ton will be one to remember for ages, as became the first overseas player to score a hundred in Australia and England in his maiden innings. The 23-year-old now has an astonishing three Test centuries against England in his career. He had scored an unbeaten 214 against the same opposition in Rajkot last year, followed by another double-century in Visakhapatnam.

He also joined an elite club of players like Sourav Ganguly, Vijay Manjrekar and two others to have scored a ton in their maiden innings on English soil. Yashasvi Jaiswal now boasts three away Test centuries, accumulating over 800 runs from 10 matches outside India at an average of 47.52. Furthermore, Jaiswal has climbed to third on the list of Indians with the most Test centuries before age 24, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar (7) and Sunil Gavaskar (4).

Moreover, India’s strong batting display against England, effectively diverted attention from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma‘s absence from the Test squad. Notably, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal set a new record for an Indian opening pair at Headingley, Leeds, with their 91-run stand.

What are the other records Yashasvi Jaiswal can break during the India-England series?

Yashasvi Jaiswal shattered a string of records on his Test debut in England, scoring a hundred in the series opener at Headingley in Leeds. The 23-year-old, who only made his red-ball debut two years ago, now seems all set to break a few other records.

Yashasvi Jaiswal records broken England
Yashasvi Jaiswal could break several other Test records in England, following maiden hundred in Leeds. (via FirstPost)

Jaiswal could become the fastest Indian player to make it past the 2000-run mark in Tests. He needs just 101 runs in his next two innings, to order to surpass the current record of 40 innings held by Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag. Additionally, Jaiswal could also break Rahul Dravid’s record for the most runs by an Indian in a Test series in England, a mark of 602 runs set in 2002.

Moreover, the Southpaw could also become the overseas player with the most centuries in a Test series in England, should he manage to score two more hundreds in the next nine innings. Former West Indian great Gordon Greenidge and two others hold the record with three hundreds.