Ravindra Jadeja made further in-roads into Australia’s batting line-up by sending back Marnus Labuchagne and Alex Carey in the same over during India’s 2023 World Cup opener against Australia in Chennai on Sunday, October 8. Jadeja had already dismissed Steve Smith with an absolute ripper earlier.
After Smith left for 46 runs, Labuschagne this time tried to sweep the ball hard, but extra bounce meant that he could only get a faint edge on it. KL Rahul completed a fine catch to dismiss the batter for 27 runs. Just a couple of balls later, Ravindra Jadeja got the ball to grip once again, this time beating the defense of Alex Carey as the latter was trapped in front for a duck.
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The southpaw did a good job by not reviewing as it showed three reds on the replay. Veteran Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Dinesh Karthik has played his domestic cricket for Tamil Nadu and knows the conditions and the pitch in Chepauk inside out.
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Just with a look at the pitch, Karthik had predicted that Jadeja would have an excellent day with the ball. It has turned out to be true as there has been enough grip for the left-arm spinner.
Here’s what Karthik had posted on Twitter before the game: “This pitch will turn Jadeja to have a super day today 😊👍😉 #CricketWorldCup #INDvsAUS”
This pitch will turn
Jadeja to have a super day today 😊👍😉#CricketWorldCup #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/xBV4QlelOg
— DK (@DineshKarthik) October 8, 2023
Karthik’s prediction has come true as Jadeja has been the most impressive bowler for India so far. He has taken three wickets in just five overs and has conceded only 27 runs. Jadeja’s bowling has been accurate and consistent, and he has been able to exploit the conditions to his advantage. He has been able to get the ball to turn and bounce, and this has made it difficult for the Australian batsmen to score runs.
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India are now in a strong position in the match, and they will be looking to capitalize on their advantage. Jadeja will be key to their plans, and they will be hoping that he can continue to bowl well.
India XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Australia XI: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
