Former England captain Alastair Cook enjoyed young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's 161-run knock in Perth Stadium in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener. After a duck in the first innings, Jaiswal adapted to the conditions and made necessary changes to his approach to score his maiden ton on Australian soil. Once set, Jaiswal was not afraid to take the attacking route. While Australian players are known for their sledging, Jaiswal was not afraid to give it back and said "You're bowling too slow" to Mitchell Starc.
"We’ve seen his celebration enough here, but it’s more enjoyable against Australia than England. And sledging Mitchell Starc, saying at a certain stage, I think he wasn’t on 100, he wasn’t on anything on a major score, but he’s telling him you’re bowling slow. And I’ve faced Mitchell Starc and he certainly doesn’t bowl slow," Cook told TNT Sports.
#YashasviJaiswal didn't hesitate! 😁
"It’s coming too slow!" - words no fast bowler ever wants to hear! 👀
📺 #AUSvINDOnStar 👉 1st Test, Day 2, LIVE NOW! #AUSvIND #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/8eFvxunGGv
Cook who has had his fair share of battles against Starc said that he wouldn't have dared to sledge Starc while batting even if he was bowling slow.
"And if he was bowling slow, I’d keep my mouth shut and not wind him up, but have the confidence to do that as a 22-year-old. I think he scored the most runs as any Indian player up to after 15 test matches at the top of the order, which I’ll keep saying it, no one else believes me, it’s the hardest place to bat. What a classy player he is," he added.
Jaiswal is the second-highest run scorer in Tests in 2024, only behind England's Joe Root. He has scored 1,280 runs from 12 Tests at an average of 58.18. Two of his three centuries this year were double centuries which came against England at home. Also, he has scored seven half-centuries in 2024 so far.
Cook left surprised by Australia's Perth loss
Following India's fightback, Australia crumbled under pressure and lost the Perth Test for 295 runs. Australia's maiden win at the venue left Cook surprised as the hosts have been potent in Perth.
"I was surprised. I was surprised that India have gone there and hammered Australia in what normally is a very hard place to go and play cricket, Perth. I know it’s not the WACA. I know it’s the new stadium, but still, historically, Australia don’t lose many games there," said the 39-year-old.
"I thought India was so brave. I thought that first, you know, the win the toss and bat on that wicket, you know, you look there, even though there’s only 150 they got, you know, the thought process to say, we’re going to take Australia on there. We know it’s going to be hard, but we think it’s going to be hard for both sides only, and then it’ll be a one-inning game," he added.
Ahead of the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval, Jaiswal scored 45 runs in the run chase at Manuka Oval, Canberra. He helped India beat Prime Minister's XI in the rain-curtailed 46 overs per side pink-ball One-Day game.
