November 23, 2024: Yashasvi Jaiswal’s remarkable achievement on Day 2 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series opener against Australia has placed him in the record books, as he became the most prolific six-hitter in Test cricket in a calendar year. With his 34th six of 2024, Jaiswal surpassed the previous record held by Brendon McCullum, who had struck 33 sixes in 2014.
Jaiswal’s milestone came at the close of the day’s play when, in the final moments, he launched a Nathan Lyon delivery over the boundary rope. This not only propelled his own tally but also marked a significant achievement in modern Test cricket, as the 21-year-old became the first to cross the 30 sixes mark in a single calendar year. Prior to Jaiswal, Ben Stokes (26 sixes in 2022) held the third spot, followed by Adam Gilchrist (22 sixes in 2005) and Virender Sehwag (22 sixes in 2008) in the fifth position.
Jaiswal’s six-hitting feats have added a new dimension to his already growing reputation. However, his path to the record wasn’t entirely smooth on his debut tour of Australia. On the first day, Jaiswal attempted an ambitious drive against Mitchell Starc, which resulted in an early dismissal. But on Day 2, Jaiswal showed resilience and maturity, adjusting to the conditions with a measured approach. As the pitch began to wear and the ball softened, he expertly picked his moments, using his excellent footwork and timing to punish the Australian bowlers, especially when the deliveries were in his range.
His partnership with KL Rahul, which added 172 runs without losing a wicket, was a highlight of the day. Their stand put India in a commanding position at 172/0 at stumps, giving them a 218-run lead over Australia. This partnership also marked India’s highest opening stand in Australia in Test cricket since the 2004 SCG Test where Virender Sehwag and Aakash Chopra scored 123 runs. The record for India’s highest opening stand in Australia is still held by Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth, who put on 191 runs at the SCG in 1986.
With Rahul unbeaten on 62 off 153 balls and Jaiswal cruising at 90 off 193 balls, India is firmly in control of the match. Jaiswal’s blend of aggressive shot-making and controlled strokeplay, particularly with the bat on a surface that is increasingly becoming more favorable for the batters, suggests that he is just getting started in what could be a breakthrough series in his career. His performance not only solidified his place in cricketing history but also helped India build a commanding position in this crucial Test series.
