Yashasvi’s performance might be decisive to India’s chances in Australia: John Buchanan

Former Australian head coach John Buchanan reckons Yashasvi Jaiswal’s performance might be decisive in India’s chances in the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. India has won the last two series against Australia while playing Downunder and the visitors will be determined to retain the trophy.

Jaiswal was on song throughout the five-match Test series against England earlier in the year. The southpaw scored 712 runs in five matches at an outstanding average of 89 and an impressive strike rate of 79.91. Thus, he was awarded Player of the Series as India won the series by 4-1.

However, this will be Jaiswal’s first tour to Australia and it will be interesting to note how he adapts to the bouncy pitches.

“There’s a lot of talk about that, isn’t there? He is an exciting young player, and certainly one to watch, but he would be to me one of those examples. He hasn’t played in Australia, or at least he hasn’t played in Perth in a Test match on a wicket that bounces. So, his ability to adjust his game to those conditions in some sense might be a barometer as to how India will go through the series,” John Buchanan said, as quoted by The Times of India.

Meanwhile, Buchanan added that the five-match Test series is going to be mentally challenging for the players.

“Look, it’s going to be a classic series, really. Five Tests, which is one more Test obviously than played previously, which does make a difference because by the time they reach Sydney, both teams, they will have presumably played four hard Test matches before that in a short period. So that’s going to test everybody physically and mentally right through the series,” Buchanan said. 

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.