Watch: Ravichandran Ashwin takes superb catch to send Daryl Mitchell packing in Mumbai Test

Ravindra Jadeja delivered 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 pitch, aiming for a big lofted shot, but misjudged the length of Ravindra Jadeja’s delivery slightly. The ball caught the lower part of his bat, as the ball failed to clear the fielder.

Ravindra Jadeja strikes as Ravichandran Ashwin’s stunning catch sends Daryl Mitchell packing

And Ravichandran Ashwin, positioned at mid-on, sprinted backward, stretching his hands out and skillfully holding onto the catch despite a tumble. Ravichandran Ashwin’s quick reflexes ensured the ball stayed secure in his hands, as he helped the Indian cricket team to get a crucial breakthrough.

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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 got Jadeja.

Runs backwards
Keeps his eyes 👀 on the ball
Completes an outstanding catch 👍

Sensational 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 red-hot form with the ball, as he sent the New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell back to the pavilion for just four runs off six balls. He removed Blundell with a delivery that kept low and zipped off the pitch, leaving New Zealand in further trouble with half of their batting lineup back in the pavilion.

Ravindra Jadeja dismisses Tom Blundell with megical delivery

Jadeja’s ball was aimed just outside off and skidded through sharply, catching Tom Blundell off-guard as the New Zealand wicketkeeper attempted a late push from the back foot. The ball brushed his underside and went on to rattle the off-stump. With Blundell’s wicket, pressure intensifies on New Zealand in the ongoing third and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium.

Currently, New Zealand’s score stands at 131/6 after 34 overs against India in the ongoing Mumbai Test. Jadeja was also unplayable in the first inning for the Kiwi batters, taking five wickets to restrict them to 235 runs at the Wankhede Stadium.

Read Also: Watch: Ravindra Jadeja knocks over Tom Blundell's stumps with a beauty in Mumbai Test

He is once again looking 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 of India’s batting collapse: “I didn’t even get the time to comprehend. Everything happened in 10 minutes. But it happens. In a team game, you can’t blame anyone. Everyone makes small mistakes. But the remaining batters will have to stitch small partnerships.”

We will have to do as much as we can with the bat: Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja further noted, “We will have to do as much as we can with the bat. Only then will the second-inning factor come into play. When you’re down 0-2 in the series and such things happen, people say you panicked and you made a mistake.

But when you keep winning and when you’re ahead 2-0, then everyone says, It’s okay, it happens. When you’re down in the series, then these things always feel big. In a team game, if mistakes happen, then the batsmen who are coming tomorrow, we will do as well as we can to get close to their total or even take a lead.”