Yashasvi Jaiswal had himself quite the debut tour of Australia, showcasing his talent against one of the toughest cricketing sides, the Australian team, during the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Amidst team struggles, he stood out as India's top run-scorer, accumulating 391 runs across five Tests at an average of 43.44, including a magnificent century and two fifties. Jaiswal's grit and determination helped him shine, even as the team faced significant challenges.
Former Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, who observed Jaiswal’s performance closely, had earlier expressed skepticism about the young opener’s chances of success on the Australian pitches, especially after Jaiswal’s struggles on similar surfaces during India’s prior tour to South Africa.
“He improved as a batter after making mistakes. I was not confident of his success after watching him fail in South Africa on similar pitches,” Gavaskar mentioned during discussions broadcasted on Star Sports. Despite his initial doubts, Gavaskar acknowledged Jaiswal's ability to bounce back, particularly pointing out his astounding second innings performance at Perth where he scored 161 runs to help India clinch victory by 295 runs.
Jaiswal’s contributions were invaluable, as they played a significant role amid India's 1-3 series defeat against the Australians, marking India’s first Test series loss to Australia since 2015. This defeat not only halted their ambition of reaching yet another World Test Championship final but also underlined the challenges faced by the team during this competitive series.
“I learnt a lot in Australia… Unfortunately, the result wasn’t what we had hoped for, but we’ll be back stronger. Your support means everything,” Jaiswal expressed on social media, confidently asserting his resolve to improve and contribute more significantly to the team.
His sentiments were echoed by several cricketing figures. Australian opener Usman Khawaja, who had his own struggles throughout the series, praised Jaiswal, commenting, “Love your work, brother.” Former England captain Michael Vaughan also chimed in, stating, “You are a superstar... love watching you play.” These recognitions from established players of the game have only solidified Jaiswal’s reputation and potential as he embarks on his international career.
Gavaskar also lauded Jaiswal’s character and determination to learn from his past mistakes. “This player's biggest virtue is how he learns from his first mistake. The way he got out last year in both Tests in South Africa, I had a slight doubt whether he would be able to score runs on similar pitches in Australia,” he recounted, reflecting on Jaiswal's development throughout the series.
The series was not just about Jaiswal; he was complemented by the extraordinary performances of Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed the Player of the Series with 32 wickets - the highest by any bowler across both teams. Yet, Bumrah’s heroics were overshadowed by the collective failure of Indian batters on Australian soil, making Jaiswal’s individual accomplishments even more remarkable.
The failure to secure wins this time contrasts starkly with India’s success in the last four Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, where they had consistently held the upper hand, including two recent victories on Australian turf. The tough yet rewarding conditions of playing Tests down under offer invaluable lessons for players like Jaiswal, who are eager to carve out their names on the international stage.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Gavaskar maintained optimism about Jaiswal and fellow young player Nitish Kumar Reddy, stating, “They are hungry to earn a name for India. They are hungry to earn a name for themselves. Such players are needed.”
He asserted the necessity of players committed to their development, emphasizing the need for them to “protect their wicket like it’s their life.” For young talents like Jaiswal, the blend of resilience, adaptability, and strong support from their predecessors bodes well for the future of Indian cricket.
With the conclusion of the series, it remains evident: Jaiswal has laid down the groundwork needed to become one of India’s future cricketing stars. His performances not only illuminate his raw talent but also brighten the outlook for Indian cricket as the team regroups after this challenging series. They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger; Jaiswal's experience, though laced with disappointment, serves as fertile ground for growth and development, as India seeks to rise again.