NEW DELHI: The intense battle between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mitchell Starc reached new heights on the final day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday. In a display of mind games, Starc attempted to unsettle the young Indian opener during a tense session as India pursued a daunting target of 340 runs.
The drama began when Starc switched the bails at the non-striker’s end where Jaiswal was standing. Unfazed, Jaiswal immediately switched them back, much to the amusement of the crowd. The Australian pacer, known for his competitive streak, returned to his mark, but the incident was far from over.
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Two deliveries later, Starc and Jaiswal exchanged words in the middle of the pitch, adding an edge to an already high-stakes encounter. The Australian seamer seemed determined to win the psychological battle, while Jaiswal, holding one end of the Indian chase, stood firm.
Rishabh Pant, Jaiswal’s batting partner, intervened in the next over, urging the young batter to keep his composure. The dynamic session saw Jaiswal shifting gears, dispatching a few boundaries that signaled his intent. The ongoing banter with Starc only added to the spectacle.
Starc, refusing to relent, resumed his antics when he came back to bowl. He once again switched the bails at the non-striker’s end, this time with Pant standing there. Unlike Jaiswal, Pant ignored the provocation, staying focused on the task at hand.
The veteran pacer’s ploy was clear: rattle the young batter and disrupt India’s chase. With the pitch offering assistance to the bowlers, the hosts smelled blood after a fiery morning session saw them dismiss Rohit Sharma (9), KL Rahul (0), and Virat Kohli (5).
The onus fell on India’s middle and lower order to salvage the game.
Jaiswal, playing with a mix of grit and flair, symbolized India’s fighting spirit as he raised his bat after reaching another fifty with a four off Nathon Lyon. Despite Starc’s relentless sledging and on-field antics, the young batter remained defiant, ensuring the riveting contest continued.
