The 2nd Test match between New Zealand and India is currently underway in Christchurch. The visiting team is already down 0-1 in the 2-match ICC World Test Championship series as they are looking to save the series at the Hagley Oval. India batted first in this match and posted a score of 242 runs on the board. The trio of Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari scored a fifty each while Mohammed Shami’s cameo helped India cross the 200 runs mark for the first time in this series.
Trailing by 242 runs, New Zealand got off to a fantastic start in their first innings. Tom Latham and Tom Blundell made life difficult for the Indian pacers by constructing a solid opening stand. However, they could not continue their momentum on the second day as the pair of Shami and Jasprit Bumrah decimated their batting lineup. While a majority of the batsmen of the home side were back in the hut, lower order batsmen Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner frustrated the Indian bowlers with their ninth wicket partnership.
The duo of fast bowlers had already scored 50 runs for the ninth wicket as they tested the patience of the visiting bowlers. Wagner then tried to play a pull shot and add 4 more runs to the team’s total however, despite the perfect execution of the shot, the ball could not travel to the boundary. The reason behind it was Ravindra Jadeja.
The Indian all-rounder pulled off an unthinkable catch to dismiss Wagner and ultimately, India ended the first innings with a lead of 7 runs. Although this lead was pretty slender, this can prove to be a vital difference maker later in the match. Former Indian batsman, Mohammed Kaif labelled the Saurashtra-born player as Jadeja Airlines after his incredible fielding performance and here’s how he reacted to the catch.
Sir Jadeja for a reason!
Jadeja Airlines, flying high!
Terrific stuff, @imjadeja! #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/wn6WyVmhbA— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 1, 2020
