Australian media has certainly raised the stakes, crediting Jaiswal as the most aggressive Indian opener since Virender Sehwag, which is by no means a small comparison. The 22-year-old, however, hasn’t been one to shy away from challenges. He recently became the first Indian batter to score more than 1000 runs in a calendar year before turning 23. His consistent run of form, particularly in the just-concluded New Zealand Test series, has made him a central figure in India's batting lineup.
Jaiswal’s rise has been nothing short of spectacular. In just his 17th innings, he has already hit five half-centuries and has accumulated three centuries, two of which are double hundreds. In contrast, Gill, with an average of just 35 across his 25-Test career, has yet to fully realise the promise that many see in him. Originally starting as an opener, he moved to the No 3 position during the same series in which Jaiswal made his Test debut. Despite a couple of centuries at home against England earlier this year, his performances have been inconsistent, particularly when compared to the expectations surrounding his talent.
Jaiswal has played only nine Tests, while Gill has featured in 25, yet neither has faced the breadth of challenges necessary to make definitive judgments about their place in history.
Jaiswal’s impressive statistics are partly skewed by his exceptional performances in a limited series against England earlier this year, a team that fielded one of its least experienced bowling line-ups in recent memory. He was crowned the Player of the Series in the India vs England Test series, having scored 712 runs in five matches and helping India win the series 4-1.
Jaiswal’s runs have largely come against the West Indies and in India, and while his debut was promising, he struggled in South Africa against seam-heavy attacks. On the other hand, Gill has had a more varied experience, including a notable series in Australia in 2020/21, where his contributions were vital in securing India’s historic victory. However, his record since then has been mixed, with his performances fluctuating across different tours
With the exception of James Anderson, the English bowlers were largely untested at both Test level and in Indian conditions, and the absence of key spinners like Jack Leach only further magnified the opportunities Jaiswal had to flourish.
Both Jaiswal and Gill have shown promising starts, but the true test will be how they cope with the inevitable lean patches and how they evolve as players in the face of relentless opposition scrutiny in Australia.
Taking the England series for instance, with the exception of James Anderson, the English bowlers were largely untested at both Test level and in Indian conditions, and the absence of key spinners like Jack Leach only further magnified the opportunities Jaiswal had to flourish. In contrast, Gill, with his longer career, averages a modest 35.52 in Tests, reflecting the inconsistencies in his performances, especially given the expectations placed on him as one of India’s rising stars.
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