The iconic India-Australia cricket rivalry reached another level of intensity on the final day of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 30, 2024. Indian sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal once again found himself in the spotlight, engaging in a playful yet intense exchange with Australian pacer Mitchell Starc over a curious superstition involving bails.The bail flip banterDuring the second session of the fifth day, Mitchell Starc flipped the bails over before his run-up, a ritual believed by some bowlers to bring good luck. The practice, popularized by Englands Stuart Broad during the Ashes, has become a quirky superstition in cricket. However, Jaiswal, undeterred by such beliefs, flipped the bails back to their original position, sparking a lighthearted yet competitive exchange.The bail-switching antics are back! This time between Mitchell Starc and Yashasvi Jaiswal 👀#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/oK8xkSd4qI— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 30, 2024Starc, noticing the reversal, questioned Jaiswal about his belief in superstitions. The 23-year-old batters reply was sharp and confident: “I believe in myself, thats why Im here.” When Starc countered, “Then why change it back if youre not superstitious” Jaiswal calmly responded, “Im just enjoying this moment in my life.” The stump mic captured the banter, quickly turning it into a viral sensation on social media.India faces tough challengeIndia was tasked with chasing a challenging target of 340 runs set by Australia. With the pitch proving to be tricky, Indian stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja fell cheaply. Despite the setbacks, Jaiswal stood tall, crafting a gritty half-century, his 12th of the year, to keep Indias hopes alive.Jaiswals Stellar seriesJaiswal has been a standout performer throughout the series, emerging as Indias leading run-scorer. Meanwhile, Starc, Australias bowling ace, has claimed 16 wickets, including dismissing Jaiswal thrice.With the series tied 1-1, the final showdown in Sydney on January 3, 2025, promises high drama. The growing rivalry between Starc and Jaiswal adds an exciting subplot to an already thrilling contest.
