[World Cup 2023] Ravi Shastri Breaks Silence On Steve Smith Being Ravindra Jadeja’s Bunny

Jadeja’s Extraordinary Feat

Before the cricketing giants like Virat Kohli and KL Rahul could weave their magic and revive India’s innings, it was Jadeja who seized the spotlight. With the confidence of a seasoned all-rounder, he stepped up to the plate and single-handedly dismantled Australia’s world-class batting lineup. His performance was nothing short of extraordinary, leaving cricket enthusiasts worldwide in awe.

The Pivotal Moment

The defining moment of this epic clash arrived when Jadeja bowled a delivery that left the entire cricketing fraternity awestruck. The turning point occurred when he dismissed the Australian batting maestro, Steve Smith. Jadeja’s delivery, a piece of art, pitched perfectly to disturb the top of the off stump. It was a moment that echoed through the stadium and reverberated across television screens worldwide.

Smith – Jadeja’s Nemesis

In the cricketing lexicon, the term ‘bunny’ is reserved for a batsman who consistently succumbs to a specific bowler. In this context, Steve Smith earned the moniker of Jadeja’s ‘bunny’ in world cricket, a label bestowed upon him by none other than former India head coach, Ravi Shastri. What’s intriguing is that Jadeja has dismissed Smith on an astonishing 11 occasions in international cricket. In the global cricketing arena, this places Smith second on the list, with former England pacer Stuart Broad leading with 14 dismissals.

The Art of Deception

Shastri delved into Jadeja’s mastery of the art of deception with his deliveries. He explained, “Jadeja has dismissed Smith 10 to 12 times. Smith is his bunny. It’s not easy to face such a delivery because of the sheer speed at which he bowls. As a batsman, you’re left guessing which ball will turn and which will go straight. Even Jadeja admitted in an interview that he himself doesn’t always know which ball will turn and which will go straight. If he’s uncertain, how can the batsman be sure? Consequently, Smith sometimes plays inside the line, and at other times, outside the line.”

Impact Beyond Numbers

Jadeja’s brilliance transcended mere statistics. It was his ability to outthink and outmaneuver one of the world’s premier batsmen that left an indelible mark on the cricketing world. His performance epitomized the power of a spinner to dictate the course of a game and dismantle even the most skilled and seasoned batsmen.

Ravindra Jadeja’s mesmerizing performance against Australia in the World Cup 2023 opener will forever be etched in the annals of cricketing history. His remarkable capacity to consistently outfox a batsman of Steve Smith’s caliber serves as a testament to the true essence of cricket – where skill, strategy, and unwavering determination seamlessly converge.