World Cup 2023: In an enthralling World Cup showdown at Chepauk on Sunday, October 8, India secured a resounding six-wicket win against Australia. While the match brimmed with thrilling moments, the standout performance of the day was none other than India’s versatile all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, who showcased his extraordinary bowling skills.
World Cup 2023: Ravindra Jadeja Breaks Silence On Having An Edge Over Steve Smith
A Promising Start and a Key Partnership
On a challenging pitch, the Australian team faced an early setback as opener Mitchell Marsh was dismissed without scoring in just the third over. However, the dynamic duo of David Warner and Steve Smith came to their rescue, forming a formidable 69-run partnership for the second wicket, stabilizing the Australian innings.
Kuldeep Yadav’s Crucial Breakthrough
The turning point arrived when Kuldeep Yadav managed to break this crucial partnership by dismissing Warner for 41 runs. With Warner’s departure, Steve Smith was left to rebuild the innings, this time alongside Marnus Labuschagne.
Jadeja’s Magical Spell
The Smith-Labuschagne partnership had already added 36 runs, appearing to be a promising one for Australia, before Ravindra Jadeja made his presence felt with a remarkable display of spin bowling. In a span of just 15 deliveries, Jadeja managed to dismiss not only Steve Smith but also Labuschagne and Alex Carey, leaving the Australian team reeling at 119/5.
Turning Point in the Match
Jadeja’s three-wicket burst proved to be the turning point in the match, and Australia never truly recovered from this setback. In the end, they managed to score a below-par total of 199 runs in 49.3 overs, a score that was comfortably chased down by India.
Jadeja’s Dominance Over Steve Smith
One of the most intriguing aspects of this match was Ravindra Jadeja’s success against Steve Smith. Having dismissed Smith 10 times across formats, Jadeja’s bowling prowess has become a conundrum for the Australian batsman. However, when questioned about the secret behind his success in dismissing Smith, Jadeja remained tight-lipped.
Jadeja’s Mysterious Delivery
In the post-match press conference, Jadeja was asked to reveal the secret to his magical delivery that sent Smith packing. With a playful smile, Jadeja responded, “No, no, I will not tell you. You will print it in English, and they will understand. No, I won’t tell you this.”
Smith’s Bewilderment
Smith, who has repeatedly found himself at the receiving end of Jadeja’s brilliance, was left baffled by the Indian spinner’s skill. The delivery in question was a well-pitched, good-length ball that landed right on the middle stump before taking a sharp turn to disturb the off-stump.
Jadeja’s Bowling Strategy
When asked about the strategy behind that delivery, Jadeja explained, “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 went on to elaborate on his plan, stating, “This was my plan that I should bowl at the stumps, and luckily the ball to Smith turned a little more. So, my plan was simple. I was thinking that this is a Test match bowling wicket. I shouldn’t experiment too much because everything was happening in the wicket. So, I was trying to bowl it stump to stump.”
India’s Roller-Coaster Ride
Shifting the focus back to the match, it was a roller-coaster ride for the Indian cricket team. While chasing the modest target set by Australia, India found themselves in a precarious position at 2/3. The situation could have been even worse as Mitchell Marsh dropped a straightforward catch, giving Virat Kohli a lifeline when he was on just 12 runs.
Kohli-Rahul Partnership
However, this dropped catch proved to be a costly mistake for Australia. Virat Kohli seized the opportunity and went on to share a crucial 165-run partnership with KL Rahul, firmly placing India in the driver’s seat.
Closing the Match in Style
Although Virat Kohli eventually fell after scoring 85 off 116 balls, KL Rahul held one end steadily and remained unbeaten on 97 off 115 balls. He was ably supported by Hardik Pandya, who contributed 11* runs, as India comfortably crossed the finish line with 8.4 overs to spare.
The World Cup match between India and Australia showcased the brilliance of Ravindra Jadeja as he orchestrated a remarkable victory for India. His spellbinding performance with the ball, combined with a stellar partnership between Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, proved to be the winning formula for the Men in Blue.
Ravindra Jadeja’s enigmatic bowling and his secret weapon against Steve Smith will surely be topics of discussion among cricket enthusiasts. However, for now, the mystery behind Jadeja’s success remains concealed, leaving fans and opponents alike in awe of his exceptional skills.
