Former India coach and Australian legend Greg Chappell hailed Yashasvi Jaiswal and said the young batsman will carry forward India’s rich batting legacy defined by icons. Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
Chappell’s comments came after Jaiswal’s breathtaking 161-run knock was instrumental in India’s massive 295-run win over Australia in the Perth Test. Australian legend Yashasvi has become a fan of Jaiswal’s fearless approach and technical finesse, calling the Indian opener a symbol of India’s cricketing supremacy.
Greg Chappell backs Yashasvi Jaiswal to lead India’s batting legacy after 161 in Perth
By the age of 22, Jaiswal had already amassed a number of records and impressed one and all in just 14 Tests, 30 first-class matches and over 50 IPL games. In contrast, Australia’s 25-year-old debutant Nathan McSweeney is still finding his feet. Talking about this difference, Greg Chappell believes that India’s strong domestic structure and focus on red ball cricket in the domestic groups is the main reason for this gap.
Greg Chappell wrote in a column for the Sydney Morning Herald: “The young opener is fearless and looks poised to inherit the mantle of Indian batting excellence in the wake of Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. Jaiswal’s journey encapsulates why India’s planning and infrastructure have given them a clear advantage in world cricket.
The big Aussie then added: “The comparison with Australia’s Nathan McSweeney is illuminating. At the age of 22, Jaiswal has already played 14 Tests, 30 first-class matches, 32 List A matches and 53 IPL matches. In contrast, the 25-year-old McSweeney has just made his Test debut with fewer domestic appearances between formats.
Chappell points to India’s strong domestic system as the key to Yashasvi Jaiswal’s success
under the visionary leadership of Rahul DravidIndia has developed a system where young players are groomed for the rigors of international cricket across formats of the game. And Chappell admitted that this approach is not widely followed by Cricket Australia (CA).
The former Australian batsman said that the lack of consistent and competitive opportunities for young Australian cricketers is a growing concern and that is why they are starting to fall behind.
He also warned that Australia could face long-term consequences as they struggle to produce players who meet the demands of Test cricket if they do not create a structure similar to India’s.
Additionally, Chappell said Jaiswal’s rise is not just a personal triumph, but a testament to a system that prioritizes nurturing talent and instilling a deep understanding of the game.
Without significant change, we risk falling further behind: Chappell warns Australia
As the young batsman cements his place in the Test team, Chappell feels the new generation is ready to carry forward the legacy of Indian cricket and his rivals are scrambling to keep up.
Chappell said, “India’s system favors long-form cricket at the youth level. This ensures that the players are well aware of the nuances of the game. When India’s Under-19 team plays against other countries, it often feels like men playing against boys because of the mindset of the game. The lack of competitive matches at a young age leaves Australian players less prepared for international demands. “If there are no significant changes, we risk falling further behind.”
