Top 5 Youngest Indian Batters to Score Double Hundred in Test Cricket
Yashasvi Jaiswal (Twitter)
Scoring a double ton in the rigorous test of Test cricket is a display of strength, character, and commitment to one's team. Achieving such a milestone is commendable for any cricketer, but when a young batter does it, the accomplishment takes on an even greater significance. It's one thing to have talent, but quite another to harness it under pressure, to stand firm when faced with a tough and hostile bowling attack, and to continue scoring runs over a long duration.
For a youngster to absorb the intensity of the game, to remain unfazed in the face of experienced and often aggressive bowlers, and to maintain focus and determination through hours of play is a remarkable display of character. It not only signifies their immense talent and potential but also highlights their mental strength and readiness to shoulder the team's expectations. Here are the top 5 youngest Indian batters to score a double hundred in Test cricket.
1. Vinod Kambli: 21 years and 32 days
Vinod Kambli (Twitter)
A flamboyant left-handed batsman from Mumbai, Vinod Kambli made headlines in the international scene with a series of performances that hinted at the arrival of an extraordinary talent. Kambli's journey to his double centuries in 1993 is a story of brilliance, marked by an aggressive batting style and an unyielding will to dominate the bowlers.
In just his third Test at the Wankhede Stadium, England posted 347 and in response, Kambli, who came to bat at number three scored 224, a knock laced with 23 fours as India posted 591. He achieved this feat at just 21 years and 32 days old. England were bowled out for 229 in the second innings as India won the match by an innings and 15 runs.
2. Sunil Gavaskar: 21 years and 277 days
Sunil Gavaskar (Twitter)
Sunil Gavaskar's name is synonymous with technical excellence. Before Kambli's whirlwind entry, it was Gavaskar who held the record for the youngest Indian to score a double hundred in Test cricket. His 220 against the West Indies in Port of Spain in 1971, at the age of 21 years and 277 days, was proof of his temperament and technique. In a match that was crucial for India, Gavaskar's innings stood out for its maturity and class, as he faced one of the fiercest bowling attacks with aplomb in the fourth innings. He had already scored 124 in the first innings which helped India post 360.
However, West Indies responded with 526 and took a 166-run lead. India needed a star to emerge and Gavaskar delivered with a double ton which eventually contributed in securing a draw. This innings was not just about the runs but about the birth of a legend who would go on to become one of the greatest opening batsmen in the history of cricket. Gavaskar's innings laid the foundation for a career that would be marked by numerous records and milestones, establishing him as the epitome of batting excellence.
3. Yashasvi Jaiswal: 22 years and 36 days
Yashasvi Jaiswal (Twitter)
Yashasvi Jaiswal etched his name into record books with a stunning double-century (209) against England at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam in February 2024. Achieving this milestone at just 22 years and 36 days old, Jaiswal not only became the youngest Indian to score a double hundred in Test cricket since Mayank Agarwal's feat in November 2019 but also marked himself as the third-youngest Indian overall to reach such a pinnacle, trailing only behind Gavaskar and Kambli.
Amidst a challenging situation with wickets tumbling at the other end, Jaiswal's innings was a masterclass in patience and aggression, as he reached his 200 off 277 deliveries, showcasing a temperament that belied his years. Notably, his achievement also made him the first left-handed Indian batter to secure a double century in Tests since Gautam Gambhir's 206 against Australia in 2008, highlighting his exceptional talent and marking the arrival of a new cricketing star on the international stage.
4. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi: 23 years and 34 days
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (Twitter)
In 1964, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, at just 23 years and 34 days old, scripted a memorable chapter in Indian cricket history with a magnificent double century against England. India, batting first, put up a competitive 344 runs, setting the tone for a tightly contested game. England, not to be outdone, responded with a robust 451, gaining a crucial lead. The match, however, was destined to be remembered for a spectacular display of batting brilliance by the young Indian captain.
In the second innings, under pressure to avoid defeat and to set a challenging target, Pataudi played an innings of a lifetime, scoring an unbeaten 203. His double century propelled India to a formidable 463/4 as the match ended in a draw This innings against England at such a young age cemented Pataudi's legacy as one of the finest batsmen and leaders in the history of Indian cricket.
5. Sanjay Manjrekar: 24 years and 142 days
Sanjay Manjrekar (Twitter)
During a 1989 Test match held in Lahore, a young and talented Indian batsman, Sanjay Manjrekar, made headlines with an exceptional innings that would be remembered for years to come. At just 24 years and 142 days old, Manjrekar played a big role in India's first innings, scoring a magnificent 218 runs. His innings was a masterclass in batting, featuring 28 fours, showcasing his exquisite timing and placement against a potent Pakistani bowling attack. Unfortunately, his outstanding innings ended with a run-out, but not before he had steered India to a formidable total of 509 runs.
In response, Pakistan mounted a strong reply, amassing a mammoth 699/5, underpinned by stellar performances from their batsmen. Aamer Malik and Javed Miandad both scored centuries, but it was Shoaib Mohammad who stole the spotlight with a brilliant double century, scoring 203 runs. The match, filled with high-scoring innings and dominated by batsmen on both sides, ultimately concluded in a draw. However, Manjrekar's 218 remained a highlight of the match, marking him as one of the finest batsmen of his era and showcasing his potential to become a cornerstone of the Indian batting lineup.
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