The era of the “Fab Four” is slowly transitioning, and a new dawn is breaking over Test cricket. The red-ball format, often questioned for its survival in the age of T20s, has found its guardians in a crop of fearless, technically gifted, and dynamic young batters. Fans are, in fact, witnessing a generational shift where players don’t just survive sessions; they dictate them. In recent years, as several modern-day greats near the twilight of their careers, a new crop of young stars has emerged with the skill set and fearlessness to dominate the red-ball format.
These players are not just surviving at the highest level; they are reshaping how Test cricket is played—combining classical foundations with modern aggression. Among the multitude of rising stars, three names have separated themselves from the pack, consistently turning match situations on their heads and piling up runs with an authority that belies their age. The conversation for the “next greatest” has narrowed down to a thrilling trident of talent: England’s Harry Brook, New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra, and India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Mark Waugh picks the next champion batter in Test cricket
The debate on who will rule the next decade of Test cricket is fierce, but Australian legend Mark Waugh has made his stance clear. When asked by Kayo Sports to identify the successor to the modern greats, Waugh didn’t hesitate to back the young Indian opener. He backed Jaiswal as the frontrunner, highlighting the Indian opener’s age, temperament, and early achievements in Test cricket.
At just 24, Jaiswal already boasts a double century and an average hovering around the elite mark of 50—numbers that underline both consistency and hunger for big scores. Waugh described him as a “special” talent and tipped him to join the elite club of champion Test batters in the years to come. Coming from a former great who thrived in the toughest conditions, such praise carries significant weight.
“There are three in the running: Jaiswal, Brook, and Ravindra. I am going with Jaiswal, 24 years of age. He has already got a double hundred and averages just under 50. There’s something special about this kid. I’ve got Jaiswal as the next champion batter joining the elite group. Brilliant player, so that’s my pick, the young Indian,” said Waugh.
How the trio changed the red-ball scene?
While Waugh has made his pick, the reality is that all three of these cricketers have fundamentally altered the landscape of Test cricket. They represent a modern evolution of batting where defense is solid, but attack is the primary instinct.
- Jaiswal (The domineering opener): Jaiswal has redefined what it means to open in Test cricket for India. Unlike the traditional approach of seeing off the new ball, he treats it as a scoring opportunity. His ability to convert starts into “Daddy Hundreds” and double centuries at a rapid clip has solved India’s long-standing desire for a destructive left-hander at the top. His fearless lofted shots against world-class fast bowlers have forced captains to spread fields early, disrupting the rhythm of opposition attacks.
- Brook (The Bazball engine): Brook is the personification of England’s aggressive “Bazball” philosophy. He doesn’t just score runs; he scores them at a demoralizing pace. With a strike rate that rivals ODI cricket and a propensity for massive scores—including a triple century that showcased his hunger—Brook has proven that you can score fast without being reckless. He has made the middle order a launchpad rather than a consolidation zone.
- Ravindra (The elegant accumulator): Named after Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, Ravindra carries the burden of that legacy with grace. He brings a classical, fluid elegance to the trio. After a record-breaking ODI World Cup, his transition to red-ball cricket has been seamless. He offers a calm counterpoint to the aggression of Jaiswal and Brook, dismantling bowling attacks with precision timing and supreme technique rather than brute force. He has become the linchpin of the Kiwi batting lineup, capable of playing long, match-saving innings in foreign conditions.
