3 reasons why Yashasvi Jaiswal could be India's most important player in BGT 2024-25

Yashasvi Jaiswal has taken to Test cricket like a duck to water. In 25 innings in 14 Tests, the left-handed opener has scored 1402 runs at an astonishing average of 58.42.

He has already scored three centuries (two of which were double centuries) and eight half-centuries in his brief yet remarkable Test career.

Jaiswal will now embark on his toughest challenge in his Test career - a five-match Test series in Australia. It will be the opener's maiden Test tour to Australia, and he will look to make an impact Down Under.

Here is a look at three reasons why Yashasvi Jaiswal could be India's most important player in Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25:

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#1 Jaiswal has been in top form in the current WTC cycle

Jaiswal is India's highest run-getter in the current WTC cycle, having scored all his Test runs in 14 Tests. He is second only to England's Joe Root (1750) in the ongoing WTC cycle.

The southpaw has been instrumental in India remaining on top of the WTC 2023-2025 cycle. In 20 Test innings in 2024, he has scored 1114 runs at an average of 58.63. He is the batter in form for the team in the longest format.

While the experienced Indian top-order batters have struggled in Test cricket this year, Jaiswal has on the other hand matured with each outing with the bat. Rohit Sharma, fellow opener and skipper averages around 30 in Test cricket this year. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, averages less than 25 in Test cricket in 2024.

Thus, while the two experienced batters have failed to get going in Tests this year, Jaiswal has played a few match-winning innings and will be India's best bet going into BGT 2024-25.

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#2 He can put Australia on the defensive

Yashasvi Jaiswal can score runs at a quick rate in Test cricket

Jaiswal is one batter in the Indian top order who can score runs at a quick pace. He has a strike rate of over 70 in Test cricket and can take the attack from the word go.

The left-handed batter's ability to score quick runs can put the Australians on the back foot and could compel them to set defensive fields early on in the innings.

An hour of Jaiswal on the crease can witness the change of momentum in India's favor and the left-handed opener can be the "X" factor for India at the top of the order.

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#3 Jaiswal plays spin well and unsettle Nathan Lyon

Australia's star spinner Nathan Lyon has tasted success against India. He has picked up 121 wickets in 27 Tests against the Men in Blue, with 60 coming in 15 Tests in Australia.

Jaiswal plays spin well and tends to play aggressively against the spinners. He is one Indian batter who can attack Lyon from the outset and not let him settle. Once he gets in the groove, Lyon can pick up wickets in a heap.

It is therefore imperative to put pressure on Lyon by scoring quick runs against him and Jaiswal could be India's best bet for the same.