In test cricket, we have seen many memorable and sensational double-centuries. As a batsman, scoring a double-century for their respective teams is an outstanding achievement. The double-century gets even more remarkable when the young batsman leads their team and scores a double-century. So, let’s look at the youngest batters to score a double century in test cricket.
1. Javed Miandad (19 Years And 140 Days)
Javed Miandad is a former right-handed batsman from Pakistan. Javed Miandad is one of the greatest batsmen that Pakistan has ever produced. Apart from a match-winning performance, Javed Miandad is the youngest batsman who scored a double century in test cricket. At that time, he was only 19 years and 140 days old. It was his debut test series, where Pakistan played against New Zealand. In the 3rd test match, Pakistan batted first. In the 1st innings, Javed Miandad played an exceptional innings of 206 runs. It has been over 47 years, but no one can break this record.
2. George Headley (20 Years And 308 Days)
George Headley was a right-handed batsman from the West Indies. In 1930, he debuted against England, where West Indies toured England for a test series of 5 matches. In the 4th test of the series, George Headley became the youngest batsman to score a double century. This record lasted for 46 years. In the match, England won the toss and batted first. In the 4th inning of the game, George Headley had to play an outstanding inning to draw the game. Then, he played an unbelievable innings of 223 runs in 385 balls, where he smashed 28 boundaries. As a result, the match was drawn.
3. Vinod Kambli (21 Years And 32 Days)
Vinod Kambli is a former left-handed batsman from India. He is considered one of the most talented batters but failed to play international cricket for long. But Vinod Kambli holds some unique records in test cricket. As for India, he is the youngest batsman to score a test double-century. At 21, Vinod Kambli made his test debut against England in 1993. In the 3rd test of the series, England batted first. In the 2nd innings, India came to bat, and Vinod Kambli completely dominated the English bowlers. In the innings, he fantastically scored 224 off 411 balls. With the help of his double century, India set a huge target and easily won the match by an innings and 15 runs.
4. Gary Sobers (21 Years And 213 Days)
Gary Sobers is one of the greatest all-rounders that the world has ever seen. Few people know he was the first player to hit six sixes in an over. Even though Gary Sobers debuted in 1954, his first double-century came in 1958 against Pakistan. It was the 3rd test match between the West Indies and Pakistan series. In the game, Pakistan batted first and scored 328 runs. In the 2nd innings, Gary Sobers became the headache of every bowler. Gary Sobers scored 365 runs in the innings, scoring 38 fours. With the help of his innings, West Indies easily won the match by an innings and 174 runs.
5. Graeme Smith (21 Years And 259 Days)
Undoubtedly, Graeme Smith is one of the finest captains and batsmen that South Africa has ever produced. Especially in test cricket, he successfully led South Africa to be the best team in the world. Graeme Smith is the youngest South African batsman to score double century in test cricket. In the 1st test against Bangladesh, South Africa batted first. In the 1st innings, Graeme Smith played impeccably innings, scoring his first double-century in test cricket. In the innings, he scored 200 off 287 balls, which helped South Africa to win the match by an innings and 107 runs easily.
6. Mahela Jayawardene (21 Years And 273 Days)
There was a time when Sri Lanka used to be one of the strongest teams in the world. One of the great players of that strong Sri Lankan was Mahela Jayawardene. He is undoubtedly one of the best batsmen Sri Lanka has ever produced. In the 2nd test against India in 1999, Mahela Jayawardene became the youngest Sri Lankan to score double century in test cricket. In the 2nd innings of the match, he played a fantastic innings of 242 runs in 465 balls. In the end, the game was drawn.
7. Sunil Gavaskar (21 Years And 277 Days)
It was the year 1971 when India toured the West Indies for 5- a match test series. In this series, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar made his debut. It was the 5th test where he scored the first-ever double-century. In the match, Sunil Gavaskar scored a century in the 1st century. Then, in the 3rd innings, he showed batting excellence and played an unbelievable innings of 220 runs against the furious West Indie’s bowling lineup. With the help of his innings, India tied that match.
8. Kraigg Brathwaite (21 Years And 278 Days)
Kraigg Brathwaite is a right-handed batsman of the West Indies. He made his test debut against Pakistan at 18 in 2011. In 2014, Bangladesh toured the West Indies. In the 1st test, Bangladesh won the toss and bowled first. In the 1st innings, Kraigg Brathwaite showed his batting class and played an unbelievable inning. In the innings, he scored 212 runs in 447 balls, which helped West Indies set a big target. As a result, they easily won the match by ten wickets.
9. Don Bradman (21 Years And 304 Days)
In cricket history, Don Bradman will always be remembered as one of the most incredible batters. His batting average of 99.94 is still an unbreakable record for any batsman. In the year 1930 against England, he scored his first double century. It was 2nd test of the series, and in the 2nd innings, Don Bradman played an exceptional innings of 254 runs. His match-winning innings helped Australia to win the match by seven wickets.
10. Jacques Rudolph (21 Years And 355 Days)
Jacques Rudolph is a former left-handed batsman from South Africa. He got a fantastic start in his cricket career. In 2003, Jacques Rudolph made his test debut against Bangladesh. In his debut match, he played a magnificent inning of 222 runs in 383 balls. His double-century was so impactful that the game finished on the 4th day, where South Africa won the match by an innings and 60 runs.
