Virat Kohli, one of cricket’s biggest stars, received a hero’s welcome in Australia, with numerous media outlets showering praise on the Indian batter. Kohli, who has built a legendary career, was even front-page news in Australian publications. However, as his illustrious career nears its twilight, some commentators are tipping young prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal to step into his shoes and take the mantle of Indian cricket’s new leader.
Jaiswal, 22, is quickly making a name for himself as one of India’s most promising young talents. His meteoric rise, particularly after a stunning 700-plus run series in England where he scored back-to-back double centuries, has left the cricket world buzzing. Alongside other young stars like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, Jaiswal is expected to be a central figure in India’s cricketing future. But it’s the left-handed opener who is being especially earmarked for greatness, with pundits in Australia already anointing him as a potential heir to Kohli’s throne.
Despite their shared nationality, Jaiswal and Kohli’s journeys to the top have been markedly different. Kohli, known for his aggressive demeanor and fiery temperament, burst onto the scene as a brash young cricketer who never shied away from confrontation. His early career was filled with controversies, but his raw talent and unwavering commitment eventually transformed him into one of the best batters in the world.
Jaiswal, on the other hand, comes from a more humble background. Born into poverty, he once sold street food to make ends meet before his cricketing talents took him to the highest levels. His rise has been more measured, focused solely on accumulating runs and making an impact for India. While he did show some of Kohli’s fiery spirit during a verbal spat in the Duleep Trophy, Jaiswal has since matured into a focused and determined cricketer, intent on establishing himself as a key player for India.
While Jaiswal has yet to make a major impact in the ongoing New Zealand Tests, many are hopeful that his true potential will shine through in the upcoming series against Australia. Australian media outlets, including Fox Sports and the Herald Sun, have already suggested that Jaiswal is ready to take over as the next big name in world cricket.
As Fox Sports reports, “Around the same time Jaiswal was making ends meet selling street food, a pugnacious young man from Delhi was announcing himself as the most enthralling batter of a generation. Kohli’s first major mark on Australian audiences came in 2012 at the SCG, where he famously gestured to the crowd, but his most lasting legacy came two Tests later, when he scored India’s only century of the series.”
The article continues, “The boy had arrived, and he would go on to define the Australia-India rivalry for the next decade. Now, in 2024, Kohli is set to be farewelled on Australian soil, and in his place, Jaiswal looks poised to carry the mantle forward.”
Jaiswal’s Rapid Rise in Test Cricket
Jaiswal’s start in Test cricket has been nothing short of spectacular. In just 14 Tests, the young opener has accumulated 1,407 runs at an average of 56.28, with three centuries and eight fifties to his name. His debut was marked by an unforgettable hundred, making him the 17th Indian player to score a century on Test debut. Since then, he has continued to impress with scores of 214, 209, and 171, highlighting his ability to play big innings in challenging conditions.
While Jaiswal’s debut series in Australia will be a tough test, his early success has provided plenty of reasons for optimism. India’s hopes for another strong series Down Under will rest on his shoulders, as they look to continue their dominance in the World Test Championship standings. The competition will be fierce, with Australia’s formidable bowling attack posing a significant challenge, but Jaiswal’s recent form suggests he could be ready to rise to the occasion.
The battle for India’s future in Test cricket is already shaping up, with young talents like Jaiswal leading the charge. Whether he can live up to the high expectations set by the likes of Kohli remains to be seen, but early signs indicate he could be the next big star to define a new era of Indian cricket.
