Ravindra Jadeja made a crucial breakthrough for India as the left-arm spinner got rid of the dangerous Daryl Mitchell, thanks to Ravichandran Ashwin, on Day 2 of the ongoing third and final Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Daryl Mitchell advanced down the field, aiming for a great lofted shot, but slightly misjudged the length of Ravindra Jadeja’s delivery. The ball caught the bottom of his bat, as the ball failed to clear the fielder.
Ravindra Jadeja attacks as Ravichandran Ashwin’s stunning catch sends Daryl Mitchell packing
And Ravichandran Ashwin, placed in the middle, ran back, stretching out his hands and deftly grabbing the grip despite a fall. Ravichandran Ashwin’s quick reflexes ensured that the ball remained safe in his hands, as he helped the Indian cricket team make a crucial breakthrough.
Also Read: Watch: Virat Kohli left in splits after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s wild shot almost hits Ravichandran Ashwin
Daryl Mitchell’s brief but eventful innings came to an end after scoring 21 off 44 balls with a boundary and a six against India at the Wankhede Stadium, and Ravichandran Ashwin deserved a lot of credit for this wicket that Jadeja got.
run backwards
Keeps his eyeson the ball
Complete an exceptional catchGreat stuff from R Ashwin!
Live
https://t.co/KNIvTEy04z#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @ashwinravi99 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/ONmRJWPk8t
-BCCI (@BCCI) November 2, 2024
After dismissing Mitchell, Ravindra Jadeja continued his sizzling form with the ball, as he sent New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell back to the pavilion for just four runs off six balls. He removed Blundell with a delivery that stayed low and flew off the pitch, leaving New Zealand in further trouble with half their batting line-up back in the pavilion.
Ravindra Jadeja dismisses Tom Blundell with a magical delivery
Jadeja’s ball aimed just wide and slid sharply, catching Tom Blundell off guard as the New Zealand keeper attempted a late push off the back foot. The ball grazed his bottom and hit the off stump. With Blundell wicket, pressure intensifies on New Zealand in the third and final Test underway at the Wankhede Stadium.
Currently, New Zealand’s score is 131/6 after 34 overs against India in the ongoing Mumbai Test. Jadeja was also unable to play in the first innings for the New Zealand batsmen, taking five wickets to restrict them to 235 runs at the Wankhede Stadium.
Also Read: Watch: Ravindra Jadeja knocks down Tom Blundell’s stumps with a beauty in Mumbai Test
He once again looks lethal with the ball in the third innings at the Wankhede Stadium where the spinners are getting enough assistance. After the end of Day 1, Ravindra Jadeja said about India’s batting collapse: “I didn’t even have time to understand. It all happened in 10 minutes. But it happens. In a team game, you can’t blame anyone. Everyone makes small mistakes. But the remaining batsmen will have to form small partnerships.”
We will have to do everything we can with the bat: Ravindra Jadeja
Jadeja further noted: “We will have to do everything we can with the bat. Only then will the second innings factor come into play. When you are losing 0-2 in the series and things like that happen, people say you panicked and made a mistake.
But when you keep winning and you’re winning 2-0, then everyone says, “Okay, it happens.” When you’re down in the series, these things always feel big. In a team game, if mistakes happen, then the batsmen coming tomorrow will do our best to get close to their total or even take the lead.”
