Day 2 of the ongoing second Test in Christchurch till now belongs to India as they have been excellent with the ball, especially after their middling batting in the first innings against New Zealand. Indian pacers bowled outstandingly well to disintegrate the Kiwi batting unit.
Not only with the ball but also with the outfield, India completely outshined the hosts, thanks to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who exhibited his spine-tingling fielding and took an absolute screamer to dismiss Neil Wagner.
The unbelievable incident took place in the 72nd over of New Zealand’s first innings when Wagner tried to pull a short delivery bowled by Mohammed Shami. It took the top edge and went straight in the deep square leg area.
Jadeja, who was positioned there, jumped up as high as he could’ve and took a blinder within 0.005 seconds. Though he did fell after grabbing the ball, he made sure that it didn’t slip out of his hand. The Jamnagar-born once again demonstrated why he is viewed as the best fielder of modern-day cricket.
Here’s the video:
One of the all time great catches. Ravindra Jadeja 👏🏻 #NZvsIND
pic.twitter.com/nfPpWqFWxR— Stephen Quartermain (@Quartermain10) March 1, 2020
Earlier, the Black Caps started the second day with their overnight score of 63-0 but were reduced to 142-5 before lunch. Speedster Umesh Yadav drew the first blood as he trapped Tom Blundell (30) for leg before. Soon after, Jasprit Bumrah sent skipper Kane Williamson (3) back to the pavilion, and the hosts were 69-2.
Middle-order batsman Ross Taylor (15) and opener Tom Latham (52) did try to hang in there and added 40 runs, but then came the spinner Jadeja who got his man in the form of Taylor. Just a few runs later, Shami too joined the party and ended Latham’s innings. Shami didn’t just stop there and dismissed new batter Henry Nicholls (14).
After 60.1 overs, New Zealand were 177-8, but then as usual Indian bowlers failed to break the tail early, and the pair of Kyle Jamieson and Wagner added a crucial 51-run stand before Jadeja produced an absolute breath-taking effort to break the partnership. The visitors managed to restrict the Williamson-led side for 235.
