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Yashasvi Jaiswal From Suriyawan, Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh makes history by matching Don Bradman’s 93-year-old cricket record, becoming the first player since the legend to achieve this rare feat. A historic moment in world cricket.
The Record: What Exactly Did Jaiswal Match?
To appreciate the magnitude, we first need clarity on the record itself.
Jaiswal vs Bradman: The Statistical Benchmark
According to media reports, Jaiswal’s notable record came in a Test match against England. After scoring 101 in the first innings, Jaiswal’s aggregate over 10 innings vs England stood at 813 runs, giving him an average of 90.33. This pushed him past the mark set by Don Bradman.
Bradman, in his career against England, had remarkable numbers — in particular, his average of 89.78 over 63 innings against England is often cited. Jaiswal’s showing against England (minimum 500 runs) now places him ahead of Bradman in that specific head-to-head metric, making him the first batter in the world to hold an average above 90 against England among those meeting a minimum innings threshold.
In effect, Jaiswal has become the first batter to surpass Bradman’s benchmark in that context. That is what is being reported as the “93-year-old record” matched or bested — because Bradman’s dominance over England dates back to his era, nearly a century ago.
Why “93 Years”?
The reference to 93 years is likely symbolic — indicating how long Bradman’s mark has stood as a near‑untouchable benchmark in Test cricket. Though direct equivalence (i.e. same match type, opponent, conditions) is often nuanced, it underscores how rare such statistical domination is, and how long the standard has held.
Jaiswal’s Journey: From Promising Talent to Record‑Breaker
To understand how Jaiswal arrived at this milestone, we should trace his development and recent performances.
Early Promise & Breakthroughs
Yashasvi Jaiswal came into the limelight in Indian domestic cricket and youth levels with audacious stroke play and consistency. One of his earliest records was becoming the youngest Indian to score a double century in List A (Vijay Hazare Trophy) — a statement innings that put him on the radar of selectors.
In Test cricket, he started strong. In just his first 10 Test matches, he amassed 1,094 runs, surpassing the long-standing Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar, who had scored 978 in his first 10 Tests. Jaiswal broke that 51‑year‑old mark in September 2024.
That set the tone: a young opener with the temperament and ability to consistently score in the longest format.
Recent Form & the England Series
It was during India’s tour of England in 2025 that Jaiswal delivered performances that took him into the record books. On Day 1 of the first Test, he scored a fluent 101, anchoring India’s first innings.
By aggregating his runs across 10 innings in that England series, his average against England crossed the 90 mark, at 90.33, exceeding Bradman’s 89.78. This triggered the headlines about “surpassing Bradman.”
Thus, the record is not simply a one-match performance but a sustained excellence across multiple innings against one of the strongest opponents in challenging conditions.
Other Records & Milestones Along the Way
Jaiswal has already collected several notable achievements that mark him as a rising legend:
- He became the quickest Indian and Asian opener to reach 2,000 Test runs, doing so in just his 21st Test match, breaking Gavaskar’s record.
- He holds a place among Indian batters who have scored the most Test runs in their first 10 matches.
- In more recent matches, Jaiswal scored his seventh Test century against West Indies, and in doing so joined rare company of players who had achieved 7+ centuries before turning 24.
All these build toward the narrative: he is not just a one‑match wonder, but a steady accumulator of records.
Significance of the Feat
To fully appreciate what Jaiswal’s matching of this Bradman-era benchmark means, we need to place it in context.
A Benchmark From a Different Era
Don Bradman remains cricket’s statistical idol. His remarkable numbers against England, especially in the Ashes context, have been benchmarks for nearly a century. For a modern player to cross a similar threshold, albeit under different conditions, is deeply symbolic.
Conditions have changed — pitches, equipment, bowler fitness, protective gear, world travel, fatigue, analysis and strategy, and the sheer volume of cricket played. Surpassing Bradman in any specific metric is not a trivial claim, but it carries emotional weight and comparison.
Against Top Opposition, Away Conditions, and Pressure
The fact that Jaiswal did this against England, away from home, in conditions that historically favor seamers and swing, adds heft to the record. Many subcontinental batters struggle in England’s conditions, and consistency there is a litmus test of technique and temperament.
To average over 90 in England against their attack suggests a maturity, application, and resilience that separates good players from great ones.
Inspiration & Legacy
For young cricketers in India (or anywhere), watching a young Indian batter matching a Bradman-era mark is inspirational. It shows that the legends of the past still cast long shadows — but that the future generation is rising to challenge benchmarks.
In the narrative of Indian cricket, Jaiswal’s name now joins a lineage of names like Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, and now Bradman comparisons. Even if future stats dilute the significance of “matching Bradman,” the moment is already etched in memory.
But It’s Not the Whole Story
It’s also important to note that one comparative average metric does not automatically place someone in the same stratosphere as Bradman across all metrics. Longevity, consistency across opponents, impact in big matches, conversion rates, and match-winning innings matter as much as averages against a particular opponent.
So while Jaiswal deserves all praise for this feat, the journey ahead is still long and challenging.
Comparisons, Cautions & Contextual Factors
When celebrating such a feat, it’s fair to temper the excitement with some context:
- Sustainability: Averages can fluctuate, especially when a career is still young. As Jaiswal plays more innings, his average might move up or down.
- Injuries, form, conditions: Cricket is a game of fine margins. Slumps, injuries, tough tours can test even the best.
- Qualification bar: The record is recognized under the caveat of minimum runs/innings. Bradman’s runs were accumulated over far more years and innings — so direct comparison has limits.
- Era differences: The game has evolved—batting-friendly pitches, protective gear, technology, DRS, fielding standards, fitness — all shift the dynamics.
- Opposition strength: In Bradman’s era, some bowling attacks were legendary (e.g. Harold Larwood, George Lohmann, others). Modern bowlers bring variations, but the conditions and game balance have changed.
All that said, these caveats do not diminish what Jaiswal has achieved—they just help frame it appropriately.
The Impact & Significance
Jaiswal’s feat is significant in multiple dimensions:
- Symbolic bridging of eras: It ties a new-age cricketer to one of the oldest, most hallowed records in the game.
- Psychological boost for India: India has had many top-tier batsmen, but a fresh star crossing into record territory magnifies excitement and belief.
- Youth inspiration: For aspiring cricketers in India and beyond, the example of a young man matching Bradman’s average against England sends a powerful message: records can be approached anew, not just revered.
- Narrative momentum: Jaiswal’s name now enters conversations about all-time greats, not just among his generation but in the broader sweep of cricketing history.
- Strategic implications: Opponents will now plan specifically around Him — both in terms of match-ups and bowling strategies. That pressure is part of being among the best.
What’s Next for Jaiswal?
No record is a final destination in sport — it’s a new starting line. Here are some avenues and possibilities:
- Maintain and grow the average: Can he sustain a 90+ average against England, even after more series and tests?
- Records beyond England: Can he set similarly dominant marks against Australia, South Africa, and other strong sides?
- Consistency in other formats: While this feat is in Test cricket, cricket’s modern reality demands excellence in all formats (ODIs, T20s). Balancing that is challenging.
- Longevity: Injuries, mental fatigue, form swings — staying at the top over a decade or more is what lifts a star into legend territory.
- Major tournament and high-pressure games: Performing under ICC Finals, World Cups, and knockout Tests will further define his legacy.
A Reflective Pause
It’s tempting to compare numbers endlessly, but I believe the deeper lesson here is about ambition, courage, and the nature of records. Records in sport are often less about permanence and more about challenge: they exist for someone to chase, break, and reimagine.
For decades, Bradman’s average against England was seen as untouchable. Yet today, a 23-year-old Indian left-hander has shown how, in a different age with a new toolbox, one can still tread paths once thought sealed off.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s record is not just a personal milestone — it is a reminder that cricket’s history is living, dynamic, constantly being rewritten.
Conclusion
In matching (and in effect, surpassing) Don Bradman’s 93‑year‑old record, Yashasvi Jaiswal has not just made headlines — he’s made history.
He stands, at this moment, as a bridge between cricket’s golden past and its bold future. To watch his journey unfold from here is to watch something rare: a young batting talent not just chasing numbers, but meaning.
If he continues on this trajectory — with humility, hunger, focus, and fitness — we might look back one day and say: this was where greatness reasserted itself in the new era.
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