Yashasvi Jaiswal’s spirited rivalry with Australian pacer Mitchell Starc became a memorable highlight during Day 2 of the Perth Test, held on Saturday, November 23. The encounter between the two was not just about cricket; it also had moments of banter and playful exchange that added an extra layer of intrigue to the match. The spark for this exchange came during the 19th over of India's second innings, where Jaiswal, who had faced a challenging first innings, showed his mettle in the second.
It all began when Starc bowled a full-length delivery just outside the off-stump, tempting Jaiswal to drive the ball on the up. The young Indian opener, looking to make an impact after a duck in the first innings, swung his bat with intent but missed as the ball held its line, narrowly missing the outside edge. The Australian pacer immediately capitalized on the moment, flashing a mocking stare toward Jaiswal, followed by a wide grin, as if enjoying his moment of success. The stare seemed to be an attempt to get into Jaiswal’s head, but the young batter wasn’t going to let that slide.
On the very next ball, Jaiswal, undeterred by Starc's attempt at psychological play, stepped up to the challenge. With a cool and collected demeanor, he stood tall at the crease and executed a lofted shot for a boundary. The shot not only sent the ball racing to the boundary but also sent a clear message to Starc and the Australian team that Jaiswal wouldn’t be intimidated by the Aussie pacer’s mind games. As the ball soared past the boundary line, Jaiswal turned towards Starc and, in a confident tone, remarked, “You are coming too slow at me.” The exchange highlighted Jaiswal’s mental toughness and his ability to stand firm against the best.
This wasn't the only banter involving Starc on that day, as he was also seen engaging in light conversation with India’s Harshit Rana, a former Kolkata Knight Riders teammate. The friendly exchanges added an element of camaraderie to the competitive nature of Test cricket, showing that the game was as much about mental strength as it was about skill on the field.
Jaiswal’s remarkable resilience in the second innings also stood out. After being dismissed for a duck in the first innings on just 8 balls, Jaiswal’s performance in the second innings was a testament to his ability to bounce back under pressure. With his sights set on making amends, Jaiswal played with greater composure, carefully assessing each delivery, and giving no chances to the Australian bowlers. He stayed firm at the crease, and his knock of 42 runs off 88 balls helped India reach tea with a commanding 130-run lead over the Australians. His maturity and calmness in the face of pressure were on full display, signaling that the young batter was evolving into a key player for India.
Beyond just his performance in the second innings, Jaiswal also achieved a significant milestone with his knock. By surpassing the 1160-run mark for the year, he broke Gautam Gambhir’s long-standing record of most runs by an Indian left-handed batter in a calendar year. This achievement not only highlighted Jaiswal’s consistency but also placed him among the best in the world. With over 1160 runs, he now holds the record for the most runs by an Indian left-hander in Tests in a single calendar year.
Furthermore, Jaiswal's impressive 2024 continues to unfold, as he sits just behind England's Joe Root in the global Test run-scorer rankings, with Root leading the tally with 1338 runs. Jaiswal’s 42 runs in Perth added to his tally and strengthened his position as one of the top run-scorers in international cricket. His rise through the ranks has been swift and steady, and it’s clear that Jaiswal is quickly establishing himself as a key player in India's cricketing future.
The Perth Test is shaping up to be a pivotal one for Jaiswal, not just for his performance in the middle, but also for the way he handled the pressure of facing world-class bowlers like Starc and bounced back from his earlier failure. His confident responses to Starc’s banter and his solid batting in challenging conditions underline the growing maturity and promise of this young cricketer, who is already making a significant impact on the international stage.
