"Australia’s system limits opportunities for young cricketers" - Greg Chappell lauds Indian cricket's structure after BGT 2024/25 1st Test
Former Australian batter Greg Chappell has lauded Indian cricket's ecosystem and its ability to set the players up for the international level from a young age. Chappell compared it with Australia's structure, claiming that the players lack the exposure they need.
Australia's first-choice side fell to a massive defeat in the first of the five Tests in Perth to a reasonably inexperienced Indian side. The likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy looked primed to play Test cricket despite featuring in Australia for the first time.
Writing in his column for The Sydney Morning Herald, the 76-year-old stated that Rahul Dravid deserves massive credit for preparing the youngsters to play red-ball cricket from youth. He wrote:
"India’s system prioritized long-form cricket at the youth level under Rahul Dravid’s leadership. This focus ensures that players are well-versed in the nuances of the game. In contrast, Australia’s system limits opportunities for young cricketers, prioritizing school commitments over competition during much of the year."
Chappell also observed that prioritizing tournaments like Vijay Hazare Trophy and Cooch Behar Trophy ensures that players are highly skilled to take on any challenge. He continued:
"India’s cricketers are steeped in competitive cricket from a young age, with tournaments like the Vijay Merchant Trophy and Cooch Behar Trophy providing exposure to high-pressure situations.
"By the time they reach the Under-19 World Cup, Indian players have honed their skills against the best of their peers, mastering strategies like setting and chasing targets, field placements, and countering quality spin. It often feels like men playing against boys to watch them."
While Nathan McSweeney plays as a middle-order batter in domestic cricket, the selectors opted for him to open the innings in Perth. However, the 25-year-old looked out of depth, dismissed twice by Jasprit Bumrah.
"The young opener is fearless" - Greg Chappell on Yashasvi Jaiswal
The South Australian went on to claim that Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made 161 in Perth, remains on track to become as great as Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. Chappell claimed:
"Rahul’s quality is well-known but Jaiswal is an emerging superstar. 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.
"The young left-hander moved to Mumbai at 10, seeking the best competition to realize his dream of representing India. Considering the staggering odds of breaking into the Indian XI, his determination is remarkable."
After losing the first Test by 295 runs, Australia are under enormous pressure ahead of the pink-ball fixture in Adelaide.