India vs Australia, 1st Test: Ravindra Jadeja, who was playing his first Test on his return from a nearly 6-month injury layoff, picked up 5 wickets and bowled 8 maidens as Australia were bundled out for 177 on Day 1 in Nagpur.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 9, 2023 15:50 IST
Genuine superstar: Jadeja’s 5-wicket haul in Nagpur Test leaves cricket fraternity in awe (AP Photo)
By India Today Web Desk: It looked like Ravindra Jadeja never went away on his nearly 6-month injury layoff as he bowled with incredible control and skill on Day 1 of the first Test between India and Australia in Nagpur on Friday, February 9. Jadeja led India’s terrific bowling show on a pitch that did not have demons, contrary to expectations.
Ravindra Jadeja picked up his 11th 5-wicket haul and his 4th against Australia as his heroics helped India bowl Australia out for 177 in just 63.2 overs after Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat on the opening day of the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Jadeja bowled 22 overs, including 8 maidens, and gave away just 47 runs as he gave nothing away to the Australian batters.
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Jadeja picked the important wickets of Marnus Labuschagne (49) and Steve Smith (37) after the two superstar batters stitched an 82-run stand, holding off India’s charge before Lunch. The left-arm spinner regularly beat the bat on both sides, keeping Smith and Labuschagne on their toes throughout the first session.
He flighted one, inviting Labuschagne to drive through the covers and had him stumped right after the Lunch break, providing relief to India captain Rohit Sharma who was looking to break the 3rd-wicket partnership.
Jadeja then used his variation, the straighter one, to rattle Steve Smith’s stumps just when the former captain was looking to settle into his innings.
Jadeja was relentless as he responded to captain Rohit’s call whenever he was brought onto the attack. The left-arm spinner also removed Peter Handscomb for his 5-wicket haul even as the middle-order batter, playing his first Test in 4 years, was trying to stitch partnerships with the tail-enders.
It was Jadeja’s 4th 5-wicket haul against Australia in Tests as the left-arm spinner continued to trouble the Aussies in the longest format of the game.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer doffed his hat to Jadeja, lauding his control and ability to trouble batters on his comeback to Test cricket.
“Making a comeback after a knee surgery that kept him out for almost six months, and it’s as if he never went away! Same accuracy, control and speed, also imp scalps of Marnus and Smith. Well bowled Jadeja,” Jaffer wrote.
While Jadeja shone with the ball, his spin twin R Ashwin also troubled the Australians after being introduced into the attack only after 22 overs. R Ashwin picked up the important wickets of Alex Carey and Pat Cummins as he finished with figures of 3/43.
Ashwin also became the fastest Indian bowler to pick up 450 Test wickets as he overtook legendary Anil Kumble.
