India’s all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja channelled his inner MS Dhoni, delivering a sharp and instinctive run-out during the second Test against New Zealand. The run-out, reminiscent of Dhoni’s iconic no-look style, was a testament to Jadeja’s quick reflexes and game awareness, which energized the Indian squad on Day 3. Despite a wayward throw from Washington Sundar, Jadeja managed to flick the ball directly onto the stumps, catching New Zealand batter William O’Rourke short of his crease as he leisurely attempted a second run.
The moment instantly brought to mind Dhoni’s calm, precise run-out moves, as Jadeja’s remarkable agility turned a potential misfield into a crucial dismissal. India’s bowlers seized control in the first session, making quick work of New Zealand’s lineup. With five wickets falling swiftly, New Zealand’s second innings folded at 255, giving India a glimmer of hope on the challenging Pune pitch.
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Ravindra Jadeja’s run-out was followed by his valuable bowling contributions, as he took the critical wicket of Tom Blundell, who scored a steady 41 runs off 83 balls, before going on to dismiss Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel. Ravichandran Ashwin also pitched in, removing Tim Southee in the morning session to tighten India’s grip on the innings.
𝘼 𝙧𝙪𝙣-𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚!
A Ravindra Jadeja special! 🙌 🙌
Live ▶️ https://t.co/YVjSnKCtlI #TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @imjadeja | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/pqu4qE3GET
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 26, 2024
Washington Sundar’s disciplined bowling on Day 2 had already softened up New Zealand, as he claimed four wickets in their second innings, achieving a career-best haul in the first innings. The off-spinner’s tight line and turn limited New Zealand’s scoring, and his impactful spell had set up India for a stronger position on Day 3.
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Facing a daunting target of 359 on a tricky pitch, India’s batting lineup faces a steep task. Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir offered the final words of advice to captain Rohit Sharma before the start of the chase, underscoring the importance of rotating the strike to unsettle New Zealand’s bowlers. To win, India’s top order will need to hold firm through the day and aim for a balanced mix of aggression and defense to secure the target on Day 4. With the home team trailing 0-1 in the series, the stakes are high, and a win here would level the three-match series, bringing India back into contention.
