Yashasvi Jaiswal Shows Dominance Over Mitchell Starc with Four Consecutive Boundaries
During Day 2 of the fifth Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal put on a spectacular display against Australia’s renowned pacer, Mitchell Starc. Jaiswal fired up India’s second innings by hitting four consecutive boundaries off Starc’s opening over, demonstrating his fearless and aggressive batting style.
Action began early for Jaiswal, who opened his account with flair on the second ball of Starc's over. He expertly cut the ball over backward point, showcasing impressive timing and placement, sending the ball racing to the boundary. The following ball from Starc, which also offered width, was similarly dispatched—this time, Jaiswal slapped it past deep point. The excitement didn’t end there, as he followed up with another cut shot on the third delivery, finding the gap behind square on the off-side.
To round off what turned out to be one of the most memorable overs for Jaiswal, he executed a perfect drive through the covers after Starc overcorrected with his length. This over alone brought Jaiswal 16 runs, marking the most runs scored by any Indian batter in the first over of their Test innings. For Starc, it was his most expensive opening over at home, clearly indicating the shift of momentum back to India.
Earlier on the day, India's bowlers had set the scene by dismissing Australia for just 181 runs. The Australian side started Day 2 at 9 for 1, but India’s bowlers were relentless. Jasprit Bumrah made quick work of Marnus Labuschagne, sending him back to the pavilion for just 2 runs. Mohammed Siraj followed suit by getting rid of Sam Konstas who managed to score 22. Despite attempts at stabilization by Travis Head and Steve Smith, both fell quickly for 4 and 33 runs respectively.
While the Australian batsmen struggled, Alex Carey and Beau Webster managed to create some resistance with their 41-run partnership. Nevertheless, India's bowlers continued to dominate. Prasidh Krishna got the key wicket of Carey, and Nitish Reddy’s dismissal of Pat Cummins and Starc meant Australia could not recover, ending their innings swiftly.
Jaiswal’s performance against Starc is part of their developing rivalry. Since their first meeting in the opening Test at Perth, Jaiswal has accumulated over 130 runs against the left-arm pacer, though it is noteworthy he has also fallen victim to Starc four times. This back-and-forth has captivated fans and cricket experts, fueling discussions on their cricketing interactions.
Commenting on Jaiswal's explosive innings, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra emphasized how setting the tone with four boundaries right from the start can change the momentum of the game entirely. He tweeted, "Lead by four runs. And four boundaries in the first over. This game is 🔥 #INDvsAUS." Meanwhile, Irfan Pathan reflected on the pace of play, stating, "First over came too slow for Yashasvi Jaiswal. What a start. Don't get carried away!"
At this juncture of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, Jaiswal emerges as India’s leading run-scorer, boasting impressive statistics with 391 runs at an average of 43.44—including one century and two fifties. His standout innings of 161 occurred during the series opener, contributing significantly to India’s 295-run victory.
With India trailing 2-1 following Australia's lead, the stakes are high as they look to capitalize on Jaiswal’s momentum against Starc and the rest of the Australian lineup. Current scores have India established at 36 for 1, with Jaiswal at the crease, ready to continue his remarkable form.
Follow the live action of the fifth Test between India and Australia as it continues to escalate, with all eyes firmly fixed on Jaiswal’s performance and India’s pursuit of series equality.