IND Vs AFG: "Chennai Was A Test Match Wicket," Says Ravindra Jadeja After Spinning Australia Out In World Cup Match

On Sunday, October 8th, in their inaugural match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, India emerged victorious against Australia. This cricketing clash unfolded on a challenging pitch in Chennai, where India, after successfully dismissing Australia for a meager 199 runs in the first innings, successfully chased down the target in 41.2 overs.

In the initial phase of the game, India’s spinners took center stage, collectively securing six wickets. Ravindra Jadeja took three important wickets. Australia, after reaching 100/2, was bowled out for 199 runs after completing 49.3 overs.

However, during India’s second innings, Australia’s fast bowlers exploited the seam and bounce in the early powerplay, stunning three of India’s top four batsmen, who were all dismissed without scoring a run. Nevertheless, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul united forces, forging a determined partnership that ultimately led India to victory.

Following the match, India’s versatile all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, addressed the press and characterized the Chennai pitch as akin to a Test cricket wicket. Ravindra Jadeja picked the wickets of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Alex Carey. He highlighted his reliance on the inherent variations of the pitch to secure wickets.

“When I started the first over, the ball was stopping after falling a little slow. I thought it was the afternoon, it was hot and the wicket was dry. I thought a stump-line would be better. From here some balls would turn, and some would go straight so it won’t be easy for the batsman to line up. This was my plan that I should bowl at the stumps and luckily the ball to Smith turned a little more,” Ravindra Jadeja explained during the post-match press conference.

“So, my plan was simple I was thinking that this is a Test match bowling wicket. I shouldn’t experiment too much because everything was happening on the wicket. So, I was trying to bowl it stump to stump,” he further added.

Ravindra Jadeja Reveals The Turning Point Of The Game

Ravindra Jadeja went on to emphasize that the pivotal moment in the game was the dismissal of Steve Smith, who, alongside Marnus Labuschagne, was attempting to mount a comeback for Australia. A superb delivery from Ravindra Jadeja sent Smith back to the pavilion in the 28th over of the match.

“I think that was the turning moment, you know, when you get a wicket like Steve Smith from there onwards it was not easy to just come in and rotate the strike for the new batter. So, I think that I would say that wicket was the turning point. From there onwards, they were 119 – 3 and 199 all out. I think, yeah, I would say that was the turning point.”

“And yeah, it helped me, because I knew the conditions in Chennai. I’ve been playing here for like 10-11 years so I know the how conditions in this ground. So, I think I enjoyed and whatever I contribute to the team I always feel happy,” concluded the all-rounder.

India won the match against Australia and this was their fifth victory in 13 matches against the Aussies in World Cup matches. KL Rahul was awarded the Player of the Match for his 97* off 115 deliveries. He stitched a 165-run partnership alongside Virat Kohli after the team was down to 2/3.

India will now move to Delhi where they will face Afghanistan on 11th October and after that, they will face arch-rivals Pakistan on 14th October in Ahmedabad. The highly-anticipated clash will be the eighth encounter between the two sides in ODI World Cups.