Watch: Ravindra Jadeja’s skidding ball bamboozles Glenn Phillips

India’s spin all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja delivered a stunning blow to New Zealand as he clean-bowled Glenn Phillips with a deceptive delivery that left the batter baffled on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday (October 18).

Glenn Phillips, who was looking to build momentum, saw his stumps shattered by a seemingly straightforward ball that skidded through quicker than expected, thanks to Ravindra Jadeja's brilliance. It was a length ball aimed at the middle, and Phillips, trying to defend off the back foot, completely misjudged the pace.

Ravindra Jadeja’s lethal delivery shatters Glenn Phillips' stumps in Bengaluru Test

The ball sneaked past his inside edge, brushed against the back pad, and then crashed into the stumps, bringing an abrupt end to Phillips' brief stay at the crease. His short-lived innings of 14 runs off 18 balls, featuring a four and a six, came to an unexpected halt as Jadeja's lethal accuracy and sharp precision proved too much to handle for the New Zealander in Bengaluru.

THE REMARKABLE SIR JADEJA. 🥶

India's Test MVP. #INDvNZpic.twitter.com/C1vX2msO1v

— Shamim Sports. (@ShamimSports) October 18, 2024

Ravindra Jadeja has so far been the standout bowler for Team India in the ongoing first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. He sent Will Young back to the pavilion for 33 off 73 balls before casting Glenn Phillips and Matt Henry for 14 and 8 runs, respectively, in Bengaluru.

In the 37th over, Jadeja struck gold for India, who were desperately looking for the breakthrough, as the left-arm spinner dismissed Will Young with a top-edge caught by Kuldeep Yadav. Young, who had been building a steady innings, once again failed to capitalize on his start.

Ravindra Jadeja on roll with the ball against New Zealand in Bengaluru Test

Jadeja tossed up a full delivery on off-stump, forcing the Kiwi batter to go for the sweep shot. Young leaned in to attempt the sweep, but the ball dipped unexpectedly, throwing him off balance. The New Zealander was unable to reach the pitch of the ball; despite this, he went through with the shot but only managed to edge it high into the air.

The ball flew towards the fine-leg, where Kuldeep Yadav safely completed the catch, sending Young back to the pavilion for 33 runs off 73 balls, which included five boundaries. Later in the 65th over, Ravindra Jadeja struck again, but this time, he cleaned bowled Matt Henry.

Henry, who came out with the intent to swing big, managed to hit a couple of boundaries but couldn't last long against the Indian spinner. Jadeja stuck to a straightforward plan—bowling straight and tempting Henry into a big shot.

New Zealand takes 220+ runs lead against India

Henry went for an aggressive slog but completely missed, allowing the ball to crash into the middle and leg stumps, ending his brief innings of 8 runs off 9 balls. Earlier, in the match, the Indian team bowled out for just 46 runs after opting to bat first in Bengaluru.

However, New Zealand batters are looking on song, with the tourists taking 220+ runs lead in the ongoing Test series opener at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.