Shikhar Dhawan vs Yashasvi Jaiswal: Comparing their Test careers

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shikhar Dhawan (Source: Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images and Phil Walter/Getty Images)

India have always been blessed with technically sound and stylish openers, and among them are Shikhar Dhawan and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal has already grabbed significant attention in his short career so far and has often reminded many of what Dhawan once brought to the table. While Dhawan has already retired from international cricket, Jaiswal is making his name in this format.

Shikhar Dhawan’s Test career

Back in 2013, Dhawan walked into the Indian Test team at a time when stalwarts like Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were nearing the twilight of their careers. Though he was known for his white-ball performance, the former made a massive statement in his debut Test against Australia in Mohali, smashing a record-breaking 187 off 174 balls, the fastest Test century by a debutant.

Dhawan’s style made him an instant fan favourite. Throughout 34 Tests, he scored 2315 runs at an average of 40.61, with seven centuries and five fifties to his name. His Test career had a mix of both highs and lows. Despite moments of brilliance, like playing with a broken arm, Dhawan could not secure a long-term place in the red-ball format. Now, at 39, Dhawan has officially retired from international cricket.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Test career

Meanwhile, the youngster has already played 22 Tests, scoring 2031 runs at an average of 50.77, with five centuries and 11 half-centuries. His Test career began with a sensational debut in Dominica against West Indies in 2023, where he scored a 171, making him the 17th Indian to achieve the milestone of scoring a century on debut. He later had a purple run during England’s tour of India in 2024, scoring 712 runs across five Test matches, including two double hundreds.

From selling pani puris in Mumbai to surviving under a tent at Azad Maidan, Jaiswal’s story inspired many budding cricketers. Jaiswal, who is currently playing for Indian in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, started with a century in Leeds and an 87 in Birmingham before failing to perform at Lord’s. Notably, after his Leeds ton, he became the first Indian cricketer to score a century in his first Test played on Australian and English soil.

Dhawan-Jaiswal common factor

Both Jaiswal and Dhawan are stylish left-handed openers with attacking instincts. But while Dhawan took nine years of first-class hard work to earn a Test debut at 27, Jaiswal was fast-tracked after age-group and domestic success. The common factor between the two was that they made a strong first impression, both scoring centuries on their Test debut.

Shikhar Dhawan vs Yashasvi Jaiswal — Test Stats and Records Comparison