Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 7th Test century: What’s special about all of India opener’s hundreds in longest format?

Yashasvi Jaiswal added another hundred to his growing list as the India opener notched up his seventh hundred in the longest format of the game on Friday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on the first day of the second and final Test against West Indies. After his two tons in England, Jaiswal was touted to score big in Ahmedabad in the first Test but managed only 36.

In Delhi, Jaiswal was on the money right from the start after India opted to bat first. Although KL Rahul could manage just 38, Jaiswal held one fort firmly and stitched together an unbeaten 162-run stand with Sai Sudharsan (batting on 71). Jaiswal is batting on 111 at Tea on Day 1 with India reaching 220/1.

But, there is a special element to Jaiswal‘s seventh Test hundred as each of his tons came at different venues. Interestingly, Jaiswal‘s maiden Test hundred came against West Indies too at Roseau in 2023. Thereafter, the southpaw scored three figures against England (two each at home and away) and Australia (one), including two double centuries.

In the process, Jaiswal also joined some of the greats of the game in scoring seven Test hundreds before turning 24. Javed Miandad, Graeme Smith, Alastiar Cook, and Kane Williamson, all have seven centuries to their name before turning 24. Only three players have scored more hundreds before turning 24 – Sir Don Bradman (12) of Australia, India’s Sachin Tendulkar (11), and West Indies great Garfield Sobers (9).

With this hundred, Jaiswal also surpassed Rishabh Pant (six) for most hundreds by Indians in World Test Championship history. Only Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have scored more than Jaiswal, both having nine centuries each.