Indian spin maestro Ravindra Jadeja selected to maintain the key of his success towards star batter Steve Smith carefully guarded after his stellar efficiency helped India safe a six-wicket win over Australia of their World Cup 2023 opener on Sunday.
While Virat Kohli and KL Rahul shared a 165-run stand to assist India get better from a horror begin and chase down the 200-run goal in 41.2 overs, Jadeja, with figures of three/28 in his 10 overs, led the spin assault fantastically. He was ably supported by Ravichandran Ashwin, who claimed 2/34 in his 10 overs, and Kuldeep Yadav, who chipped in with 2/42 in his 10 overs.
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“No, no, I will not tell you. You will print it in English and they will understand. No, I won’t tell you this,” Jadeja, in his attribute model, smiled and informed reporters when he was requested concerning the secret behind his success towards Steve Smith.
Jadeja, who has managed to dismiss Smith on at least 10 events throughout completely different codecs, outwitted his bunny with refined variations earlier than lastly getting his prized scalp. Jadeja despatched down a good-length ball, pitching proper on the center stump, earlier than executing a pointy and cruel flip that left even the most effective batsmen perplexed.
Steve Smith, famend for his batting prowess, may solely watch in disappointment because the ball beat his edge and went on to disturb the off-stump. It was a second that oozed brilliance, and the precision and guile in Jadeja’s supply left everybody in attendance spellbound.
“When I started the first over, the ball was stopping after falling a little slow. I thought it was the afternoon, it was hot and the wicket was dry. I thought a stump-line would be better. From here some balls would turn, some would go straight so it won’t be easy for the batsman to line up,” Jadeja stated when he was requested about Smith’s dismissal within the World Cup match.
“This was my plan that I ought to bowl on the stumps and fortunately the ball to Smith turned a bit extra. So, my plan was easy I used to be pondering that it is a Test match bowling wicket. I should not experiment an excessive amount of as a result of all the things was occurring within the wicket. So, I used to be attempting to bowl it stump to stump.
With Smith again within the pavilion, Jadeja continued his fiery spell. The subsequent sufferer to succumb to his magic was Marnus Labuschagne, who was caught behind the wickets by the alert KL Rahul. Labuschagne tried a sweep shot however didn’t time it completely, leading to a faint edge that led to his dismissal.
Just two balls later, Jadeja additional compounded Australia’s woes by securing his third wicket of the day. He trapped Alex Carey in entrance of the stumps for a duck, leaving the Australian batting lineup reeling.
Published On:
Oct 8, 2023
