Yashasvi Jaiswal Becomes Second Test Opener After Graeme Smith to Achieve Rare Feat

Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his sensational red-ball form, bringing up his seventh Test century for India in style. He reached the milestone in 145 balls with 16 fours, dominating the West Indies attack on Day 2 of the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

By doing so, Jaiswal joined a very exclusive club — becoming only the second Test opener in history to score seven centuries before turning 24, equalling South African legend Graeme Smith.

Jaiswal’s Record-Breaking Innings

The young opener brought up his ton with a quick two off the first ball of the 51st over bowled by Khary Pierre. He was batting on 111 from 162 balls at the end of the second session.

Jaiswal’s achievement puts him shoulder to shoulder with Smith, who also scored seven Test hundreds as an opener before his 24th birthday. Impressively, Jaiswal reached the mark in just 48 innings, underlining his rapid rise in international cricket.

Elite List of Test Openers Before Turning 24

PlayerTeamMatches100s
Yashasvi JaiswalIndia267
Graeme SmithSouth Africa307
Len HuttonEngland135
Alastair CookEngland295
Kraigg BrathwaiteWest Indies345

Jaiswal now stands alongside some of the most consistent opening batters in the history of the game.

Joining Legends on the Global Stage

When it comes to most Test centuries before turning 24, Jaiswal has joined cricket royalty. Only Don Bradman (12), Sachin Tendulkar (11), and Garry Sobers (9) have scored more centuries at this age.

PlayerTeamMatches100s
Don BradmanAustralia1912
Sachin TendulkarIndia5311
Garry SobersWest Indies329
Yashasvi JaiswalIndia267
Graeme SmithSouth Africa337
Javed MiandadPakistan347
Kane WilliamsonNew Zealand347
Alastair CookEngland367

Joining Gavaskar & Gambhir in Delhi Record Books

Jaiswal also became the ninth Indian opener to score a Test hundred at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Legendary Sunil Gavaskar holds the record with three centuries as an opener at the venue, while Gautam Gambhir remains the only Indian opener to hit a double hundred here.

His century cements his place among India’s elite openers and adds another milestone to a career that’s rising fast.

A Star on the Rise

At just 22, Jaiswal’s batting continues to impress with both maturity and flair. Matching records set by Smith, Bradman, and Tendulkar so early in his career is no small feat. If this form continues, Indian cricket may be witnessing the making of a modern-day great.

Catch every update on Cricket NewsMatch PredictionsFantasy Tips, and Live Cricket Action—only on The Cricket Scores!

Ishwa Shah

Ishwa is a passionate and versatile cricket writer, celebrated for his sharp attention to detail and ability to craft compelling narratives. With an innate talent for simplifying complex match strategies and player techniques, he delivers content that is both insightful and accessible to cricket fans of all levels. His writing is marked by clarity, depth, and a deep understanding of the game. Beyond the page, Ishwa is an active member of the cricketing community—regularly engaging in conversations, debates, and expert discussions that keep him closely connected to the pulse of the sport.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *