Star India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja made a strong comeback in international cricket on Thursday. The left-armer was out of action since August 2022 due to a knee injury and played a Ranji Trophy game to prove his fitness for the ongoing Test series against Australia.
On the opening day of the first Test in Nagpur, Jadeja picked three big wickets in the second session of play. He first removed Marnus Labuschagne (49) and Matt Renshaw (0) of successive deliveries and then sent Australia vice-captain Steve Smith (37) back to the pavilion.
In fact, Jadeja bowled an absolute beauty to get rid of the dangerous-looking Smith. It all happened on the last ball of the 42nd over. Steve attempted a forward defence thinking the ball would turn, but it went straight through the gap to hit the stumps.
Here’s the video:
That 𝐌𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 when @imjadeja let one through Steve Smith's defence! 👌👌
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/SwTGoyHfZx #TeamIndia | #INDvAUS | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/Lj5j7pHZi3
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 9, 2023
The Aussie batter was left stunned after his dismissal, and his reaction after getting out went viral on social media.
Some say…he is still standing there in disbelief lol #SteveSmith #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/PYBNkq1Mbw
— Gills (@gpricey23) February 9, 2023
Steve Smith shocked when Ravindra Jadeja cleaned up him, his reaction says it all. pic.twitter.com/MTiXqvqWFQ
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) February 9, 2023
At tea break, Australia were 173/8, with Peter Handscomb batting on 29 (69) along with tailender Nathan Lyon. Apart from Jadeja, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also bagged a couple of wickets. He outfoxed Alex Carey (36) and Pat Cummins (6) in his second spell.
Earlier, the touring party lost both their openers – Usman Khawaja and David Warner – in the first three overs of the match. After opting to bat, it was a very poor start for the World No. 1 Test team. Though Labuschagne and Smith added an 82-run partnership for the third wicket, they could not last for long against the brilliance of Jadeja.
