Steve Smith Names The Best Fielder In Modern Era
Published - 14 Jun 2020, 10:06 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:30 AM
Former Australian captain Steve Smith engaged in an Instagram Q&A session with his fans, answering several questions. The number one Test batsman recently interviewed, wherein he disclosed how he is keeping himself fit during the current lockdown period. Meanwhile, among the queries, Steve Smith answered, one of it was naming the best fielder from the current crop.
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Steve Smith, who himself is a terrific fielder, answered Ravindra Jadeja. Not many would disagree with that particular answer, having witnessed Jadeja’s artistry on the field across formats. No matter his position on the park, the Saurashtra all-rounder pulls of screamers and affects some outstanding and game-changing run-outs using direct hits.
Jadeja is also one of the best all-rounders as of today. So far, the 31-year old has featured in 165 ODIs, 49 Tests, and 49 T20Is for India. Known for batting at the lower order, Ravindra Jadeja can turn the game on its head with the willow in hand. It was evident at the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand when his knock of 77 almost single-handedly got India into the final of the tournament.
Steve Smith named Jadeja as the toughest bowler to face in the sub-continent:
Smith, who turned 31 recently, revealed in a chat that the left-arm spinner is the most difficult bowler to face in sub-continent. The New South Wales batsman claimed that since Jadeja hits the good length consistently, there is one that skids and another that spin and it looks the same out of his hand. Smith went on to say that there are only a few other than Jadeja, who could bowl different variations without changing the arms’ speed too much.
“Jadeja in the sub-continent… why he is so good because, he hits that good length and one ball skids on and one spins, and it just all looks the same out of the hand. I think consistency in length is key and then having at least one variation,” Smith stated.
“So, I think for a leg-spinner, having a good googly, or a slider is crucial and for fingers spinners, being able to change the pace without changing the arms speed too much. I reckon there a few around the world who do that, Jadeja is one of them. He is very difficult to play,” he added.
