India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has revealed he grew up admiring Mitchell Starc, and he jumped at the chance to send a cheeky sledge the Australian’s way.
Jaiswal’s rise to stardom continued on Sunday when he posted 161 in India’s declared total of 6-487 at Optus Stadium.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jaiswal sledges Mitchell Starc.
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It left Australia chasing a near-impossible victory target of 534, and the hosts will resume at 3-12 on Monday.
Jaiswal grew up in the Indian slums, dreaming about facing bowlers like Starc.
That dream became a reality in the series-opening Border-Gavaskar Test, and Jaiswal didn’t miss the chance to make his presence felt.
“It’s coming too slow,” Jaiswal yelled to Starc after blocking a delivery with India sitting at 0-72 in the second innings.
Starc couldn’t help but chuckle at the brave sledge.
When asked why he decided to say that to Starc, Jaiswal simply replied: “I felt at that moment (that was the case), that’s all.”
Jaiswal lapped up every second of facing Starc.
“When I was small kid, I was seeing Starc bowling, so I wanted to go and face it and enjoy his bowling,” he said.
“He bowled really well, and he was bowling really quick.”
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India’s first-innings lead was just 46, and Jaiswal was coming off a duck when he strode to the crease for the second time in the match to face the new ball.
But there were no nerves from the 22-year-old, just a steely determination to give his team the platform for victory.
Jaiswal, who often went to bed hungry while growing up, said he wasn’t rattled by his first-innings duck.
“I always trust me, and I always believe in me that, OK, whatever is going to come I’m going to go and enjoy and be fearless,” he said.
“I will go and take brave decisions. Always this is my mindset. And always I feel like what is required for my team, I will try and do that.”
Jaiswal has posted four tons and eight half-centuries from 15 Test matches – a remarkable record that has boosted his average to 58.07.
He looms as a key player for the remaining four Tests as India attempt to beat Australia in Australia for a third straight series.