Ravindra Jadeja has been the most successful bowler for Team India as he struck twice in the morning session of day 2 against Australia to put his side back in the mix. With 205 for two, the hosts are suddenly at 232 for four losing Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Wade in quick succession.
Starting at 166 for two, Steve Smith and Labuschagne looked in complete control of things dishing out boundaries against Indian pacers. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj looked pretty ordinary as Australia’s best batting duo made run-scoring look simple.
In the process, Smith registered his first half-century of the series after four single-digit knocks. The talismanic run-scorer has looked completely different ever since he came to bat. Steve Smith took on the Indian spinners – Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja not giving them an opportunity to settle while Marnus Labuschagne slowly inched towards his first century of the year.
Ravindra Jadeja induces an error from Matthew Wade
Ajinkya Rahane brought Ravindra Jadeja ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin on day 2 with two right-handers batting and the ace all-rounder what the visitors longed for. He removed Labuschagne nine short of what would have been a brilliant century thanks to a fine catch from Rahane at the slips. The Mumbai stalwart has been extremely good since he took over the leadership both with the bat and in the field.
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Jadeja backed Labuschagne’s dismissal with that of Matthew Wade, who was batting in the middle-order after opening in the first two Tests, forcing the batsman to commit an error. Meanwhile, the dismissal was more or less a replica of how Wade got out in the first innings of the Melbourne Test.
Wade came down the wicket and tried to flick the ball across the line, but Ravindra Jadeja was smart enough to drag back his length. Matthew Wade played for the turn, but the ball kept straight, and the leading edge was induced. The ball went high up towards mid-on where Jasprit Bumrah ambles back and completes a safe catch to give India a much-needed wicket.
Watch the video –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISbcMKvzC3c
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With confidence on their side, Jasprit Bumrah removed Cameron Green for a duck, who was left exposed to the new ball by Matthew Wade. Ajinkya Rahane immediately took the new ball handing it to his best man who struck as Australia go to lunch at 249 for five.
