Indian cricket sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal has quickly become a formidable force in Test cricket. Since his debut against the West Indies, where he announced his arrival with a spectacular 171-run innings at Roseau, Jaiswal has continued to impress on the international stage.
His recent performance in the Test series against England was nothing short of extraordinary, amassing 712 runs in nine innings and cementing his place at the top of India’s batting order. However, the young opener’s true test lies ahead as he prepares to face Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he will play red-ball cricket in Australia for the first time.
The challenge of facing Australia on their home turf is immense, and the 21-year-old Jaiswal will be under the spotlight. Legendary Australian spinner Nathan Lyon is well aware of the threat Jaiswal poses, acknowledging the youngster’s potential to disrupt Australia’s plans. Lyon, who has closely monitored Jaiswal’s exploits against England, understands the damage the left-hander can inflict if allowed to settle in.
“I haven’t come across him (Jaiswal) yet, but that will be a massive challenge for all us bowlers,” Lyon remarked in an interview with ESPNcricinfo. “The way he played against England, I watched that quite closely and thought that was quite amazing.”
Lyon’s meticulous preparation for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy involves gathering insights on Jaiswal’s batting approach. He revealed that he has been in discussions with Tom Hartley, an England spinner who played against Jaiswal, to learn different strategies used against the Indian batsman. Lyon’s focus on Jaiswal indicates the level of respect the young opener commands, even among seasoned opponents.
“I had some really good chats with Tom Hartley about different ways he went about it to different guys which I found quite interesting,” Lyon added. “I love talking about cricket, so if I can talk to someone who has played Test cricket I might be able to pick up something I’m not aware of. There’s so much knowledge floating around this game that we can always tap into.”
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to commence on November 22, 2024, promises to be a fiercely contested series. The first Test will be held in Perth, followed by matches in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. This series will be crucial not only for India but also for Australia, who are eyeing another appearance in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Both Nathan Lyon and Australian captain Pat Cummins have expressed their determination to win the series, which would significantly boost Australia’s chances of securing a spot in the WTC final.
For Jaiswal, the series represents an opportunity to prove himself on one of the toughest stages in world cricket. The young opener’s ability to adapt to Australian conditions and counter the likes of Lyon and Cummins will be pivotal to India’s success. With the cricketing world watching, Jaiswal’s performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy could define the next phase of his promising career.
