Mitchell Starc on Huge Talent in Indian Cricket: Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has praised young Indian batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal, calling the 22-year-old a “huge” talent in Indian cricket. Jaiswal rewrote the record books during the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Optus Stadium in Perth. This left-handed batsman scored 161 runs in 297 balls with the help of 15 fours and three sixes at an average of 54.21. With four scores of over 150, all of which were his four international centuries.
Jaiswal, along with legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Pakistan’s Javed Miandad and South Africa’s Graeme Smith, has become the second highest player to score more than 150 in Tests before the age of 23. Australia’s great Don Bradman tops the list with eight such scores.
Jaiswal also surpassed Indian legend Vijay Hazare’s 1,420 runs and set the record for most runs scored by an Indian in his first 15 Test matches. In 15 matches, Jaiswal has scored 1,568 runs at an average of 58.07, which includes four centuries and eight fifties. His highest score is 214 runs not out.
Speaking to Star Sports, Starc praised Jaiswal’s talent. “He’s not playing his first game, so obviously there’s a bit of hype about him and he’s obviously very skilful. I think we saw that in the second innings this week. He’s a huge talent in India “And he’s going to play a lot of cricket for them, it was good to get him out cheaply in the first innings, but he definitely improved in the second innings,” Starc said.
In the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, India won the toss and decided to bat, but the team was out for 150 runs. Nitish Kumar Reddy (41 runs on 59 balls, six fours, one six) and Rishabh Pant (37 runs on 78 balls, three fours, one six) made an important partnership of 48 runs for the sixth wicket. Josh Hazlewood (4/29) was Australia’s best bowler, while Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh and Starc took two wickets each. Australia’s response was even worse, with a struggling partnership between Mitchell Starc (26) and Alex Carey (21) leaving Australia at 79/9, reducing the team to 104 and giving India a lead of 46 runs.
Jasprit Bumrah led India’s bowling with figures of 5/30, while debutant Harshit Rana impressed with 3/48. India made a strong score in the second innings. KL Rahul (77 runs on 176 balls, five fours) and Jaiswal (161 runs on 297 balls, 15 fours, three sixes) together made an opening partnership of 201 runs. With the help of Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 100 runs (eight fours, two sixes on 143 balls), Washington Sundar (29 runs on 94 balls, one six) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (38* runs on 27 balls, three fours, two sixes). India declared the innings at 487/6, leaving Australia with a challenging target of 534 runs.
Nathan Lyon (2/96) was Australia’s best bowler, while Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood took one wicket each. At the time of stumps on the third day, Australia’s score was 12/3, in which Bumrah took two wickets and Mohammed Siraj took one wicket. On the fourth day, despite brilliant efforts from Travis Head (89 off 101 balls, eight fours) and Mitchell Marsh (47 off 67 balls, three fours, two sixes), Australia were all out for 238, leaving India with 295 runs. Got a great victory.
Bumrah (3/42) and Siraj (3/51) led the bowling in the second innings, with Washington Sundar taking two wickets and Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana taking one wicket each. Acting captain Jasprit Bumrah was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his eight wickets in the game.