Deepti Sharma was presented the Indian bowler of the year award. Pic/Shadab Khan

Jaiswal, 22, has played nine Tests and scored 1,028 runs with three centuries. However, Hayden, who made 8,625 runs in 103 Tests, felt it would be a challenge for Jaiswal to counter the Australian pacers. “We did notice a few times in the IPL—he’s [Jaiswal] a very hard hitter… pull shots in particular. But, that’ll be challenged by three world-class speedsters [Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins], assuming they’re all fit,” Hayden remarked.  

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When mid-day asked if the absence of former opener David Warner would be a concern for Australia, he said: “Yes, it is. For the first time, it doesn’t feel as secure. David gave great service to Australian cricket. He was extremely competitive, wonderfully dynamic. His strike rates in excess of 80 gave great momentum to the top-order which, otherwise, is quite conservative. So, he’s an enormous loss in terms of how do you replace him.”

After 2014-15, Australia have failed to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. But, Hayden predicts a tough battle in the upcoming 2024-25 five-Test series which will begin at Perth on November 22. “Two Test matches is just a horrible series. Three Tests make you feel half-pregnant. Four Tests, you ultimately have a bit of cricket, but there’s always that swinging boat, whereas five Tests, you’ve got a chance to win. You also get a chance to lose and then you get a chance to come back and win. So, it gives the whole concept of a drawn Test match series. Not so much of a chance to breathe. It’s going to be a great series,” Hayden explained.

Hear it for the girls!

>> Ceat Women’s Indian Batter of the Year:  Smriti Mandhana
>> Women’s Indian Bowler of the Year: Deepti Sharma
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>> Memento for fastest double century in Women’s Tests: Shafali Verma