Nathan Lyon has opened up on the brave, yet brutal sledge he copped from young India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal during Australia’s 295-run defeat by India in the opening Test in Perth.
Jaiswal has broken onto the scene over the past year as one of the most exciting batters in Test cricket, having scored a whopping 171 runs during his Test debut against the West Indies in 2023.
He went on to torment England in Visakhapatnam and Rajkot, hitting a pair of double centuries, before arriving in Australia last week to guide his side to their dominant victory in Perth.
Despite being dismissed for nothing in the first innings Jaiswal hit a whopping 161 runs on his second appearance at the crease, masterminding India’s landslide victory.
It appears he’s also been having a bit of fun with some of Australia’s top bowlers, having notably poked fun at Test great, Lyon.
In an appearance on SEN 1170’s The Run Home with Joel & Fletch, Lyon was asked whether the tourists had been ‘more chirpier’ than expected during the first Test.
Nathan Lyon has opened up on the brave sledge he recieved from one young India batter
Lyon said Yashasvi Jaiswal (left) had called the Aussie Test great a ‘legend’ before delivering the sledge
Lyon would go on to take two wickets during Australia’s first Test defeat by India in Perth
The 37-year-old responded by saying: ‘Yes, especially with young Jaiswal.
‘He said: “You’re a legend, but you’re old!”
‘He said that to me while I was bowling!’
When asked if he’d ever dismissed the young India batter, Lyon said: ‘No, he said that to me after he must’ve been about 120 at that point. All good son.’
In response to the sledge, Lyon said he didn’t have a comeback but replied to the Jaiswal saying: ‘I appreciate that mate. I don’t feel that old.’
With both Jaiswal and Virat Kohli hitting centuries in the second innings of the first Test, Lyon was pressed on which of the two batters he’d prefer to dismiss.
Pausing for a moment, the legendary Aussie spinner said: ‘Both.’
The sledge comes after his team-mate, Mitchell Starc was also taunted by the young India batter during the opening match, with Jaiswal revealing there was a heartwarming reason behind the sledge.
Jaiswal dazzled for India at the Optus Stadium as he went on to amass a score of 161 runs
The 22-year-old batter also went on to taunt Mitch Starc (right), one of his cricketing heros
Coming up to face the Aussie pace bowler, Jaiswal had told Starc, who took three wickets during the match, that his deliveries were: ‘Coming too slow.’
Jaiswal has an inspiring story, having been brought up in the slums of Mumbai, living in a tent and going to bed often without dinner.
He revealed that Starc was one of his idols growing up and that it was his dream to face the Aussie Test bowler.
‘When I was a small kid, I was seeing Starc bowling, so I wanted to go and face it and enjoy his bowling,’ he added.
‘He bowled really well, and he was bowling really quick.’
Ahead of the second Test in Adelaide on Friday, Australia will have a new face in their side as they look to bounce back on last week’s loss.
Pat Cummins has confirmed that Scott Boland has been parachuted into the Aussie bowling line-up to replace Josh Hazlewood, who will be absent with a side strain.
Mitch Marsh has also been passed fit to play, despite doubts revolving around his fitness.
Scott Boland has returned to the Test side in place of Josh Hazlewood for the Adelaide Test
‘There’s normally a little bit of nip, which suits Scotty quite well … as a captain, it’s pretty awesome to have Scotty come straight in,’ Cummins said.
Cummins also snubbed claims that his side were under pressure given the nature of the defeat Australia suffered in Perth.
‘Any Test match there is pressure,’ Cummins said.
‘When you’re down there’s a little bit more but we have been in similar situations in World Cups or other series… we know we weren’t at our best last week, we have got a few things to work on.
‘Everyone has got a lot of personal pride.’
