On Day 2 of the ongoing Perth Test, Yashasvi Jaiswal achieved a significant milestone by surpassing Gautam Gambhir’s 16-year-old record. Jaiswal now holds the record for the most runs by an Indian left-handed batter in a calendar year, a feat that eclipsed Gambhir’s 2008 achievement.

Jaiswal Surpasses Gambhir’s Record

Gautam Gambhir had set the previous benchmark in 2008 with 1,134 runs at a stunning average of 70.67 from eight matches, with six fifties and three centuries. However, Jaiswal has now managed to surpass this mark in 2024 by scoring more than 1,161 runs while sustaining an average of 55.28. The Mumbai-based opener has performed consistently this year and has catapulted himself into new heights, given his current status among India’s bright Test prospects.

A Strong Comeback After Early Setback

For Jaiswal, it started on a disappointing note when he could get only a duck in the first innings. But with India’s bowlers doing better, restricting Australia to 104 thanks to Jasprit Bumrah’s five-for, the openers took their places with a mission to extend India’s advantage. Jaiswal came back in the reckoning with a composed 42 out of 88 balls and took India well past the millennium mark to a commanding lead as tea was taken on Day 2.

Stellar 2024 Performance: A Year To Remember

Jaiswal has made more than 700 runs in just the England series, crossing two double hundreds. He has amassed seven fifties and two hundreds this year, leaving him as India’s highest run-scoring batter in the Test format for the 2024 calendar, with a wide margin.

Yashasvi Jaiswal Only Behind Joe Root

Jaiswal currently stands second on the list of highest run-getters in Tests this year, behind only England’s Joe Root, who has scored 1,338 runs. When Australia comes to town, Jaiswal will be eyeing Root’s record, too, to further entrench his own status as one of the finest young talents in world cricket.