Former India batter Suresh Raina has showered praise on India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, calling him a magician. Jadeja picked up a five-wicket haul on his comeback from injury in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 9, 2023 18:36 IST
Raina calls Jadeja a magician after 5-wicket haul (AP)
By India Today Web Desk: Former India batter Suresh Raina has showered praise on India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, calling him a magician. Jadeja picked up a five-wicket haul on his comeback from injury in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur.
Raina took to Twitter to congratulate Jadeja on his five-wicket haul, saying he always works like a magician.
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“What a brilliant comeback by @imjadeja. Working like a magician always, congratulations on the 5 wicket haul champion!,” Raina posted on his Twitter account.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif also took to social media to hail Jadeja’s performance, saying it is never easy to return to top level cricket after an injury.
“Never easy to return to top level cricket after an injury. Not if you are Sir jadeja. He is deadly!,” Kaif posted on Twitter.
Jadeja destroyed Australia with his 11th five-wicket in Test cricket and the 4th against the Aussies. The 34-year-old last played a Test match in Birmingham in July but he did not look like he was away for so long.
First, Jadeja lured Marnus Labuschagne out of his crease with a smartly bowled slower ball as KS Bharat completed the stumping and then he trapped Matt Renshaw LBW to leave Australia reeling.
Steve Smith was always going to be the biggest thorn in the flesh for India, but Jadeja took care of that too, with the barest turn. The Australian run-machine was deceived as his innings was cut short by another cunning delivery from a man who had troubled Australia on innumerable occasions.
After R Ashwin had dented Australia further with the wickets of Alex Carey and Pat Cummins, Jadeja pushed the tourists back further, picking the wicket of debutant Todd Murphy, before getting rid of Peter Handscomb to complete his five-wicket haul.
India ended Day 1 with 77/1 on board and trail the visitors by 100 runs.
