Most Test Runs in a Calendar Year : In 2024, Yashasvi Jaiswal etched his name into cricketing history with a record breaking calendar year in Test cricket. The 22 year old opener amassed an astounding 1,478 runs, securing his place as the third highest run scorer for India in a single year. With a series of dazzling performances, including three centuries and eight half centuries, Jaiswal emerged as a beacon of consistency for India, even as the team faced mixed fortunes.
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Most Test Runs in a Calendar Year : Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Stellar Year
Jaiswal’s Journey to the Record Books
Jaiswal’s 2024 was nothing short of extraordinary. He began the year on a high note with back to back double centuries against England in January, becoming only the third Indian to achieve this feat after Vinod Kambli and Virat Kohli. Throughout the year, his fluent strokeplay and remarkable temperament made him India’s most dependable batter in the longest format.
Key highlights of Jaiswal’s 2024 season include:
- Matches Played: 15
- Innings Batted: 29
- Runs Scored: 1,478
- Average: 54.74
- Strike Rate: 69.35
- Centuries: 3
- Fifties: 8
- Highest Score: 214*
His highest score of an unbeaten 214 showcased his ability to bat long and dominate quality bowling attacks, cementing his place among modern Test cricket’s finest talents.
Jaiswal Among Indian Test Legends
In the pantheon of Indian cricket, Jaiswal’s 2024 run ranks as the third best calendar year performance in Test history, surpassed only by the iconic Sachin Tendulkar in 2010 (1,562 runs) and Sunil Gavaskar in 1979 (1,555 runs).
Here’s a look at the top Indian performances by runs in a calendar year:
- Sachin Tendulkar (2010): 1,562 runs in 23 innings
- Sunil Gavaskar (1979): 1,555 runs in 26 innings
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (2024): 1,478 runs in 29 innings
- Virender Sehwag (2008): 1,462 runs in 27 innings
- Virender Sehwag (2010): 1,422 runs in 25 innings
Jaiswal’s achievement is particularly remarkable considering his young age and limited experience. At just 22, he has already overtaken records set by legends like Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid, showcasing his potential to dominate for years to come.
Global Context: Chasing History
Globally, Jaiswal’s 1,478 runs in 2024 place him 12th on the all-time list of most Test runs in a calendar year. While he still trails Mohammad Yousuf’s incredible 1,788 runs in 2006, his achievement is noteworthy in the modern era, where fewer matches and shorter series make such records harder to come by.
All Time Calendar Year Records in Test Cricket:
- Mohammad Yousuf (Pakistan, 2006): 1,788 runs in 19 innings
- Viv Richards (West Indies, 1976): 1,710 runs in 19 innings
- Joe Root (England, 2021): 1,708 runs in 29 innings
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (India, 2024): 1,478 runs in 29 innings
Jaiswal is now rubbing shoulders with all time greats like Viv Richards, Graeme Smith, and Ricky Ponting, an elite club that cements his place as a global star.
Memorable Moments from Jaiswal’s 2024
While Jaiswal’s year was filled with outstanding innings, some performances stood out as career-defining:
- Double Centuries Against England: Starting the year with two mammoth innings against a formidable England attack, Jaiswal displayed both patience and aggression.
- Twin Half Centuries at the MCG: Despite India’s loss to Australia in the Boxing Day Test, Jaiswal’s scores of 82 and 84 showcased his ability to fight against the odds.
- Consistent Contributions: With eight half centuries, Jaiswal proved that his success wasn’t limited to a few big knocks.
These performances highlight his adaptability to different conditions and opponents, a trait that sets great players apart from the rest.
The Road Ahead: Can Jaiswal Go Further?
With one innings left in 2024, Jaiswal still has an outside chance to surpass Sunil Gavaskar’s 1,555 runs and move into the second spot among Indians. Looking forward, his meteoric rise bodes well for Indian cricket as they prepare for challenges like the ICC World Test Championship Final in 2025.
If Jaiswal continues to perform at this level, he could challenge even Sachin Tendulkar’s records in the future.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 2024 has been a testament to talent, hard work, and resilience. His entry into the record books is not just a personal milestone but also a source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers in India.
As cricket fans, we’re witnessing the rise of a new star who could potentially dominate the Test arena for the next decade. With his hunger for runs and ability to adapt, Jaiswal’s journey has only just begun.
FAQs
Who holds the record for the most Test runs in a calendar year?
Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf holds the record with 1,788 runs in 2006
How many Test runs did Yashasvi Jaiswal score in 2024?
Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 1,478 runs in 2024
