Southpaw’s effectiveness was amplified due to his familiarity with the Chennai wicket as a crucial member of the Chennai Super Kings team.
India vs Australia
India vs Australia: When discussing standout performers for India in cricket, one name consistently stands out across all formats – Ravindra Jadeja. Whether it’s an IPL final, where he scored 10 runs off the last two balls to secure the title for Chennai Super Kings, or a high-stakes match like Sunday’s World Cup opener against formidable Australia, Jadeja has consistently proven himself as a player for crucial moments.
His impressive performance of 3-28 on a spin-friendly Chepauk pitch, which derailed Australia’s progress, showcased all the qualities that make Jadeja an invaluable asset.
“I play for CSK, and I understand how to take wickets on this ground. As soon as I saw the pitch, I knew I needed to pick up at least two or three wickets,” said Jadeja, demonstrating his straightforward approach to the game.
Employed by captain Rohit Sharma in the 20th over, the left-handed spinner understood that he didn’t need to do anything extraordinary. His primary task was to hit the right areas consistently.
“In an era where mystery spinners are frequently discussed, Jadeja’s simplicity stands out. You know what to expect from him, yet he consistently troubles batsmen,” commented former Australia captain Aaron Finch during the commentary.
Jadeja recognized that if he maintained the right line and length, the pitch would assist him in achieving success. “Even I can’t predict which ball will turn on a pitch like this and which one won’t. So, my role was to vary the pace, which I managed to do,” Jadeja explained.
It took until his fourth over for the left-arm spinner to dismiss Steve Smith, but by the end of the World Cup, his delivery might be a contender for the “ball of the tournament” award. This delivery, which turned sharply by 5.4 degrees to dislodge the off-bail, came from the same spot where the previous delivery didn’t spin much. Notably, this was the 11th time Jadeja has dismissed Smith, a remarkable achievement given Smith’s illustrious career.
With some bounce available on the pitch, Jadeja also accounted for another proficient spinner, Marnus Labuschagne, who was caught behind while attempting a sweep. Left-handed batsman Alex Carey also struggled to gauge the extent of the turn and was trapped leg-before by Jadeja’s precise wicket-to-wicket line.
Supported by Kuldeep and Ashwin, Jadeja dominated the Australian batsmen. If the pitches continue to favor his style of bowling, the Saurashtra all-rounder is poised for a successful World Cup campaign.
