In the second innings of the first Test in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25), Team India’s rising star batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was dismissed cheaply in his first-ever knock on Australian soil, produced a magnificent daddy century (161), leading the visitors to a historic victory by a massive 295-run margin against Australia.
It’s interesting to note that following his attempt to intimidate debutant Harshit Rana by claiming that he bowls faster than the young player and also has a long memory, the 22-year-old showed such confidence during his marathon knock that he did not hesitate to give Australia speedster Mitchell Starc a taste of his own medicine. At one point in India’s innings, an unconcerned Jaiswal attempted to repay Starc by informing him at point blank that he was bowling at him “too slowly.”
Since Jaiswal was playing his first Test match on Australian soil and no rookie batter had ever faced a top pacer in that manner, the occurrence shocked the cricket community in shock. Following the event, a number of former cricket players expressed their opinions about the entire Jaiswal and Starc episode. Alastair Cook, the opener and former England captain, has now joined the chorus, sharing his thoughts on the emerging star of Indian batting and the Jaiswal-Starc saga.
Cook was not afraid to acknowledge that he had fought Mitchell Starc during his time on the 22 yards and could attest to his lightning-fast speed. Therefore, Starc was by no means a slow bowler. Therefore, if he were bowling slower than normal, he would be better off confronting Starc in silence. Jaiswal’s enormous confidence, however, is demonstrated by the manner he made fun of him while standing erect on the crease.
“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,” Cook stated to TNT Sports.
“I have also faced Mitchell Starc, and he is definitely not a slow bowler. And as a 22-year-old, I’d have the confidence to keep my mouth shut and not wind him up if he was bowling slowly,” he continued.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is rated as a “classy” player by Alastair Cook.
Alastair Cook also discussed his impressions of Yashasvi Jaiswal’s batting performance against Australia in the BGT 2024–25 Test series. Without hesitation, he referred to Jaiswal as a “classy player.” Additionally, when the Ben Stokes-led team was touring India earlier, the former England captain praised his brave batting against his nation. Notably, Cook had led England to a historic series triumph over India back in 2012.
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