In the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, Ravindra Jadeja, known for his calm demeanour, couldn’t hide his joy after dismissing New Zealand’s Matt Henry. This excitement came after Henry hit two consecutive fours off Jadeja, putting pressure on the experienced Indian all-rounder.
However, Jadeja bounced back immediately, bowling a quicker, flatter delivery on the stumps during the 65th over. The ball drifted in, and Henry, attempting a cross-line slog, missed completely, and the ball crashed into his middle and leg stumps. This marked Jadeja’s third wicket of the innings, and he celebrated with visible enthusiasm.
Matt Henry’s Two Consecutive Fours
Matt Henry had displayed some aggressive batting in the prior deliveries, hitting Jadeja for two consecutive boundaries. The first four was driven past mid-on, and the second came from a shorter delivery that Henry pulled between point and cover.
Jadeja, realizing his mistake, quickly adjusted his line, pitching the next ball on the stumps. His clever bowling resulted in the wicket, as Henry’s attempted slog ended in failure. This wicket not only lifted the Indian team’s spirits but also showcased Jadeja’s ability to adapt quickly under pressure.
Glenn Phillips ✅
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 18, 2024
Matt Henry ✅
Relive the timber strikes ft. @imjadeja 😎
Live – https://t.co/FS97LlvDjY#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/jhFRv4ibEm
New Zealand’s Dominance in Bengaluru
Despite Jadeja’s key wickets, the Bengaluru Test heavily favoured New Zealand. India’s batting crumbled in their first innings, managing just 46 runs, with the New Zealand seamers, especially Matt Henry (5-15) and William O’Rorke (4-22), causing havoc. Only two Indian batters, Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, managed to reach double figures.
Meanwhile, New Zealand built a massive lead, ending Day 3’s morning session at 345-7, led by Rachin Ravindra’s century. With a lead of 299 runs and three wickets in hand, New Zealand firmly held control of the Test match.
Ravindra Jadeja’s crucial breakthrough against Matt Henry after being hit for two consecutive fours highlighted his resilience and skill as a seasoned bowler. Despite India’s struggles with the bat, Jadeja’s determination to keep fighting on a difficult pitch stood out.
However, New Zealand’s dominance with both bat and ball has placed them in a commanding position, leaving India with an uphill battle to avoid a heavy defeat. As the Test progresses, India will need a strong response to counter the visitors’ momentum and regain control of the match.
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