Stop the trolls. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s sledge to Starc was banter, not disrespect

“It’s coming too slow,” said India’s rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal, and that one line has taken on a life of its own.

Directed at Australia’s veteran pacer Mitchell Starc during the Perth Test, the comment sparked a wave of backlash after Jaiswal was dismissed for a golden duck on the very first ball of India’s innings in the Adelaide Test. Social media was quick to jump on the irony, linking his sledging moment to his dismissal. But does the criticism of the 22-year-old opener really hold water?

A section of fans called Jaiswal’s sledging disrespectful, drawing a connection between his cheeky remark and his quick exit in Adelaide. But here’s the thing: is Jaiswal really being judged fairly for something that’s basically part of cricket’s DNA? The young batter has earned his spot with brilliant performances, so the sudden backlash feels a bit over the top.

And then there’s the trolling. Some people even brought up Jaiswal’s family background, which is just low. Yes, the pani puri jokes are back, but seriously-what does that have to do with anything?

Sledging and Cricket’s Age-Old Relationship
Sledging is no stranger to cricket. It’s been part of the game for ages, a way for players to throw opponents off balance while spicing things up. Teams like Australia have turned it into an art form, with their verbal battles often as memorable as their on-field heroics.

Are we forgetting how the likes of Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, and Shane Warne mastered the art of sledging? Intimidation and mental disintegration were key tactics for legendary Australian teams. India started fighting fire with fire in the early 2000s, when Sourav Ganguly took charge. While India has had memorable victories against Australia in the past, it was Ganguly’s men who first got under the Aussies’ skin.

Even recent editions of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have seen their share of playful banter and heated exchanges. Virat Kohli was as Australian as it could get when he was Down Under. The star batter did not miss an opportunity to engage with the Australian players when he was leading the side.

And who can forget the last two series in Australia? Tim Paine spoke more than he scored runs. Rishabh Pant, who was making his mark at the highest level, did not hesitate to give it back.

In this context, Jaiswal’s remark to Starc feels like par for the course, a bit of competitive spice in the heat of the game.

“I didn’t actually hear him say I bowled too slow. I don’t say too much to people these days. I may have been back in the day, but now I just sort of get on with it,” Starc said after Perth Test.

He’ll play a lot of cricket for India and be highly successful. Certainly, he played really, really well in that second innings… We got him cheaply in the first innings and he adapted to that and played a fantastic innings, so full credit to him. He is one of those new crop of fearless young cricketers around the world,” Starc added.

FAIR PLAY OR OVERREACTION?
Jaiswal has always shown respect to his senior pros, and calling his banter with Starc disrespectful feels unfair-it was all in good spirit

What makes all this fuss even more bizarre is Jaiswal’s track record. He has been on fire in Tests. In 2024 alone, he’s scored 1,280 runs in 13 matches, including two double centuries against England. Those are serious numbers, the kind that speak for themselves. This is a guy who thrives on big moments, both on and off the field.

Let’s not forget that Jaiswal got out for a duck in the first innings of the series opener in Perth too. He initiated the sledging battle when he was dominating the Aussie bowling attack in the second innings. Jaiswal backed it up with the bat, scoring 161 and setting up India’s 295-run win.

At just 22, Jaiswal is already a key player in India’s Test squad and currently sits second in the ICC batting rankings. Players like him thrive on confidence and a bit of swagger — that’s what makes them so good. Social media’s rush to judge him over one comment is missing the bigger picture.

For now, Jaiswal has the perfect chance to answer the noise the way he knows best: by smashing another headline-grabbing knock in the second innings. And judging by what he’s already shown in Perth, he’s more than capable of doing just that.