Top 5 Indian players with most runs in a calendar year in Tests ft. Yashasvi Jaiswal

Amid India’s indifferent run in the longest format in 2024, they have found an absolute superstar in Yashasvi Jaiswal who finished the year with a truckload of runs. The 23-year-old has taken to red-ball cricket like fish to water and had a year to remember, becoming the second-highest run scorer for India in Tests in a calendar year.

After suffering a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of New Zealand at home, India are 2-1 behind in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 and need to win the Sydney Test, starting January 3, to retain the trophy. Jaiswal has been one of India's stand-out performers in the series and did his best to save the team from blushes during the fourth Test in Melbourne.

Over the years, several Indian cricketers have produced magical performances in the longest format in a calendar year. Still, only Sachin Tendulkar has scored more runs in a year in Tests than Jaiswal. The youngster is still in his infancy in the international circuit and would hope to beat Tendulkar’s record in the future.

With the year 2024 set to end in a few hours, let us relive the top five Indian batters with the most runs in a calendar year in Tests:

# 5. Sunil Gavaskar- 1407 runs in 1979

Arguably the greatest Test batter to have emerged from India, Sunil Gavaskar ranks fifth on the list to have scored the most runs in a calendar year for India in Tests. In 1979, the ‘Little Master’ scored 1407 runs at an average of 54.11, including four hundreds and eight fifties.

During his illustrious Test career, Gavaskar played several iconic knocks but the year 1979 saw him play arguably his best Test knock against England at the Oval. India was set a massive target of 438 and Gavaskar’s incredible 221 brought India within eight runs of the target.

The match eventually ended in a draw but Gavaskar’s knock remains etched in the annals of cricketing folklore. He smashed three more centuries, one of which came at the Wankhede Stadium against Australia, leading India to an innings win.

# 4. Virender Sehwag- 1422 runs in 2010

Sehwag celebrates scoring a Test century. Source: Getty

Sehwag was someone who redefined opening batting in Test cricket. While other batters preferred leaving deliveries to make the ball old, Sehwag used to smash them right from the outset and was well ahead of his time. He tormented opposition bowling attacks and features on this list twice.

In 2010, Sehwag scored 1422 runs in 25 innings at an average of 61.82 with five hundreds and eight fifties. The swashbuckling batter was at his incredible best in 2010 which included a highest score of 173 against New Zealand in Ahmedabad. What made him an incredibly special player was his ability to take down any world-class bowling attack.

He would take the pitch out of the equation and it was a sight to behold seeing him in full flow. Sehwag also scored a couple of tons against South Africa when they toured India in 2010, with knocks of 109 and 165. He was also one of the best players against spin and scored twin centuries in Sri Lanka, helping India level the series 1-1.

# 3. Virender Sehwag- 1462 runs in 2008

When Sehwag burst onto the scene in the early 2000s, there was a buzz about him with the way he used to dominate opposition bowlers. However not many would have predicted him to succeed in the longest format of the game. Having started his Test career at number six, Sehwag scored a century on his Test debut.

The then-Indian captain Sourav Ganguly elevated him to the opening spot, and that is when his career changed forever. Sehwag established himself as one of the most feared batters in world cricket. He scored 1462 runs in 2008 at an average of 56.23, including three centuries and six fifties.

The highlight of the year was his triple century against South Africa in Chennai. He toyed with the Proteas bowling attack, clobbering them to all corners of Chepauk. Sehwag’s knock of 319 came off a mere 304 deliveries and was studded with 42 fours and five sixes. The blistering striker also scored a stunning 151 in Adelaide to help India save a Test match.

# 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal- 1478 runs in 2024

Jaiswal celebrates after reaching his double century in the third Test against England. Source: Getty

The emerging superstar of Indian cricket, Yashasvi Jaiswal ranks second on this list for most runs by an Indian in a calendar year in Tests. The southpaw finished 2024 with 1478 runs at an average of 54.74, including three centuries and nine half-centuries.

Jaiswal rose to prominence with a staggering performance during the home Test series against England. The stylish and resolute southpaw scored 712 runs in the five-match series at an average of 89. He scored two double centuries in the series, paving the way for a 4-1 series win for India.

He endured a tough run against the Kiwis in the three-match Test series where almost every other Indian batter failed to make an impression. However, he has regained his form in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scoring a stunning 161 against the Aussies in the opening Test at Perth. He scored two valuable 80s in the fourth Test but that wasn't enough to help India save the Test.

# 1. Sachin Tendulkar- 1562 runs in 2010

Sachin Tendulkar raises his bat after scoring a century against Sri Lanka. Source: Getty

Arguably the greatest batter to have graced the game of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar holds the top position among Indian batters with the most Test runs in a calendar year. After being at the top of his game for over 20 years, Tendulkar finally entered the list in 2010 in the twilight of his career.

His ability to adapt to different conditions and willingness to change his style of play despite dominating the game for two decades made him arguably the greatest batter. In 2010, the ‘Master Blaster’ scored 1562 runs in the longest format at an average of 78.10, including seven centuries and five fifties.

For one last time, Tendulkar treated his fans to batsmanship of the highest order. Tendulkar started 2010 with two centuries against Bangladesh and followed it up with back-to-back centuries against South Africa. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Tendulkar struck one more century and, in the process, also became the highest run-scorer in Test history.