Alastair Cook Applauds Yashasvi Jaiswal's Fearless Sledging Of Mitchell Starc
Former England skipper Alastair Cook praises Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for his fearless approach against Australia’s pacer Mitchell Starc. He played a brilliant knock of 161 runs against the Aussies in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Cook called Jaiswal a “class player” and lauded his confidence in sledging Starc at his home only. All this happened on the second day of the first Test in Perth at the Optus Stadium. Jaiswal, taking a dig at Starc, said, “You are coming too slow at me.” This remark of his made him smile on his face while he was walking back to his mark.
The 22-year-old has played 12 Test matches in 2024, scoring 1280 runs, and is the second-highest run-scorer in Tests this year after Joe Root; he has 1338 runs in 15 matches.
Cook talked about Jaiswal’s impressive record at the top of the order. He said that Jaiswal scored the most runs as any Indian player and what a classy player he is.
“I think he scored the most runs as any Indian player up to after 15 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.”
Further, Cook said that he was surprised by Jaiswal’s confidence and boldness, especially in front of the finest pacer, Mitchell Starc. He said that Starc doesn’t bowl slow, and if he is, he would keep his mouth shut and not wind him up.
“And I’ve faced Mitchell Starc, and he certainly doesn’t bowl 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.”
“We’ve seen his celebration enough here, but it’s more enjoyable against Australia than England, certainly. 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.”