Legendary Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden expressed his eagerness to witness Yashasvi Jaiswal’s game in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Notably, Jaiswal made a stunning start to his Test career, accumulating 1,028 runs at an average of 68.53 and a strike rate of 70.07 in just 16 innings. However, a severe trial awaits him in Australia, which has hard and bouncy pitches.
Australia series will show whether he is capable of succeeding in overseas conditions or if he is more suited to playing in home conditions. Notably, in his most recent performance in South Africa, he managed to score only 50 runs in four innings, adding to the scrutiny.
Hayden, a fan of Jaiswal’s batting, is keen to see how the youngster adapts to the challenging conditions in Australia. While praising Jaiswal’s caliber in handling the bounce, and driving through the covers, the former cricketer also cautions that it could also pose challenges in Australia.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how he (Yashasvi Jaiswal) adjusts, you know, and bouncy tracks. His ability in particular to get on the up through the covers is phenomenal. That will also have its vulnerabilities,” Hayden said on the sidelines of the CEAT Awards in Mumbai.
“We did notice a few times in the IPL that he’s a very hard hitter of the ball, pull shots in particular. But that will be challenged by three world-class speedsters, assuming they’re all fit. And on much bigger grounds as well.
“If the shot lacks the impetus, it could end up in the fielder’s palms. “”It has to almost be the perfect contact for that ball to sail over six. So you can get caught easily, three-quarters of the way in the fence. So, they have little adjustments that world-class players like Jazzy (Jaiswal) will have to make,” he added.
Notably, Jaiswal will need to be cautious of premier off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who has recently spoken about the youngster.
“I haven’t come across him [Jaiswal] yet, but that will be a massive challenge for all us bowlers,” Lyon was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
“The way he (Jaiswal) played against England, I watched that quite closely and thought that was quite amazing. I had some really good chats with Tom Hartley about different ways he went about it to different guys which I found quite interesting,” Lyon would add.
Meanwhile, Hayden saw Lyon’s comments as a strategic pressure for Jaiswal. The former cricketer remarked that the spinner’s approach was a smart move to apply indirect pressure on the youngster.
“Isn’t it great that the series is shaping up the bare-heavyweight bout, someone like the GOAT (Lyon) going after (Jaiswal), what is in my opinion one of the key assets for Indian cricket. Yes he’s certainly proving to be that,” the 52-year-old said further.