"We've seen his celebration enough here, but it's more enjoyable against Australia" - Alastair Cook hails Yashasvi Jaiswal for 1st BGT Test heroics
Former England captain Alastair Cook praised young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for his match-winning knock in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Perth. After registering a duck in his first-ever batting stint in Australia in the first innings, the 22-year-old responded in style with a brilliant 297-ball 161 in India's second essay.
It was Jaiswal's fourth Test century in just 15 outings and a second away from home after his debut century in the West Indies last year. During his scintillating display, Jaiswal also had the swagger to sledge veteran Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc, calling him 'slow'.
Talking to TNT Sports, Cook hailed Jaiswal's confidence and mature batting at such a young age.
"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," he said.
Cook added:
"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."
Earlier in the year, Jaiswal became the second-fastest Indian batter to 1,000 Test runs, taking only 16 innings to achieve the landmark. The southpaw boasts an outstanding Test record, with 1,568 runs at an average of 58.07 in 28 innings.
"Surprised that India have gone there and hammered Australia" - Alastair Cook
Alastair Cook expressed surprise at India defeating Australia convincingly in the first Test at the Perth Stadium.
Australia entered the game with an unbeaten record at the venue in Tests, having won their previous four outings. However, they came unstuck against an inspired Indian side to suffer a massive 295-run hammering.
"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 Cook.
He added:
"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."
After scoring only 150 in their first innings, India restricted Australia to 104 in their response.
Jaiswal then took over in the second innings with tremendous support from KL Rahul (77) and Virat Kohli (100*) to set Australia an improbable 534 for victory. The hosts succumbed to Jasprit Bumrah and company once again to be bowled out for a sub-par 238 in their run-chase.
The action will resume after an extended break with the second Test at Adelaide, starting December 6.