Every so often, the country of India produces a world-class batsman who outdoes all others in first-class and Test play.
Before World War 2, Vijay Merchant was considered India’s best, despite playing only 10 Test matches between 1933 and 1951-52.
His career average of 71.64 runs per innings is second only to that of Sir Don Bradman which says it all.
In Tests, he scored 859 runs (47.72) with three centuries and a highest score of 154.
Later came Mohammad Azharuddin, who scored a century in each of his first three Tests against England and played 99 Tests with 22 centuries.
No true cricket-lover will ever forget Sachin Tendulkar who, in a long career which started when he was 16 in 1989, played in 200 Tests, scored 15,921 runs and finished with an average of 53.78 and 51 Test centuries, with a highest of 248 not out.
Recently Virat Kohli has thrilled spectators with his stroke-play and to date he has plundered 8,848 runs with 29 centuries and an average of 49.15 and a highest of 254 not out.
Now there’s a new kid on the block.
His name is Yashasvi Jaiswar, a 22-year-old opening batsman, who to date has played in six Test matches.
A left-hander, he made his debut in Tests against the West Indies in Roseau in July last year, not even seven months ago.
He announced himself on the world stage with a brilliant 171 with 16 fours and one six and added 229 with his captain, Rohit Sharma, who scored 103.
Last week, in the second Test against England he was again in sparkling form, reaching a new high of 179 not out on the opening day.
On the second day he advanced to 209.
To date, Jaiswar has scored 637 runs in his six Tests with an average of 57.90 with those two hundreds.
Critics i
n India and indeed throughout the world are forecasting a great future for Jaiswar at the crease.
True cricket fans will continue to watch his progress in the tough world of international cricket.
Hopefully he will continue to entertain the masses in India and throughout the world for many years to come.
