Australia's legendary cricket Greg Chappell was all praise for Yashasvi Jaiswal and went on to dub him as Indian cricket's next superstar. Former India's head coach feels that the young batting sensation, who recently struck a spellbinding century in India's stunning win over Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy's Perth Test, will continue India's illustrious batting legacy, established by icons like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
Yashasvi Jaiswal has already carved a name for himself in the international cricket arena at a tender age of 22. He has already played 14 Tests, 30 first-class matches, and over 50 IPL games. On the other hand, Australia's 25-year-old debutant, Nathan McSweeney, is still adapting to the rigors of Test cricket.
Greg Chappell's ultimate praise for Yashasvi Jaiswal
Greg Chappell also talked at length about India's strong domestic structure and emphasised on the importance of red-ball cricket at the grassroots level.
“The young opener is fearless and appears poised to inherit the mantle of Indian batting excellence, following the likes of Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. Jaiswal's journey encapsulates why India's planning and infrastructure give them a clear edge in world cricket,” Greg Chappell's column in Sydney Morning Herald read.
“A comparison with Australia's Nathan McSweeney is illuminating. At 22, Jaiswal has already played 14 Tests, 30 first-class matches, 32 List A games, and 53 IPL matches. In contrast, McSweeney, 25, has just debuted in Tests, with fewer domestic appearances across formats,” he added.
Chappell draws parallel between India's approach and Cricket Australia's
Thanks to Rahul Dravid, India has established a robust system for nurturing young talent and preparing them for international cricket across all formats. Chappell also drew parallel between India's approach and Cricket Australia's.
Chappell expressed concern over the lack of consistent and competitive opportunities for young Australian cricketers, which he believes is hindering their development. He warned that if Australia fails to implement a system similar to India's, they may struggle to produce top-quality Test cricketers in the future.
Chappell highlighted Yashasvi Jaiswal's rise as a testament to India's successful youth development program. He believes that Jaiswal's emergence signifies the strength of the Indian system and the potential of a new generation of talented cricketers to dominate the international stage.
“India's system prioritizes long-form cricket at the youth level. This ensures players are well-versed in the nuances of the game. When India's U-19 team plays other countries, it often feels like men playing against boys in terms of game awareness. The lack of competitive matches at a young age leaves Australian players less prepared for international needs. Without significant changes, we risk falling further behind,” Chappell concluded.
