Ravindra Jadeja is making the most of his red-hot form with the bat as he rescued India once again on Friday during the ongoing first T20I against Australia in Canberra. Asked to bat first, the Men in Blue finished their innings on a competitive total of 161 for 7.
At one stage, it looked like India would not even touch the 150-run mark as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul started slowly with the bat before the former was castled for 1 by Mitchell Starc. India could not take advantage of the powerplay.
Things became worse for them when the likes of Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey and Hardik Pandya departed cheaply. KL Rahul scored a fighting fifty but did not get good support from the other end and was eventually out while trying to accelerate the run-rate.
Sanju Samson got the start and was batting on 23 off 14 balls before perishing. And when Hardik was dismissed in the 17th over with the scoreboard reading only 114, it looked like India would struggle to post a good total. However, Ravindra Jadeja had other plans.
After starting cautiously, the allrounder shifted gears to power India to a good total. He scored 44 off 23 balls with the help of five fours and a six. 30 of those 44 runs came off the last ten balls as Ravindra Jadeja took the likes of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc to the cleaners.
The latest performance is just another testament of Ravindra Jadeja’s current batting form. He had scored an unbeaten fifty during the third ODI too and had also impressed with his power-hitting in IPL 2020. And as he came up with yet another fine display with the willow, the cricket fraternity was quick to praise him.
Here are some of the reactions to his knock:
Brilliant Jaddu @imjadeja
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 4, 2020
Took some time for #jadeja batting to come alive at the international stage but now he is batting as good as anyone lower down order. #AUSvsIND
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 4, 2020
#jadeja seems to be rightfully following his gurus footsteps! Brilliant comeback. Hope he is good to bowl. #AUSvIND
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) December 4, 2020
It's Starc's fortune that Sir Jadeja is using both hands to hit him and not just one. Saving from embarrassment. #AUSvIND
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) December 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/naalaYUCK/status/1334802295838535680
#INDVAUS
Everyone-: 5 wickets down now india can't pass 140..*Meanwhile Ravindra jadeja-: pic.twitter.com/Rx5Gbz8x3E
— Pulkit?///(Prince) (@sarcasticyadav_) December 4, 2020
Ravi Jadeja in last 3 innings in this series in big long Australian boundaries:
24(11)
66(50)
44*(23)The improvement was there in IPL and continuing in Blue jersey.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 4, 2020
Sanjay Manjrekar called Jadeja as "Batting all-rounder". That is the success of Ravi Jadeja in limited overs. He has improved, improved a lot.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/Sahil_viratfan/status/1334801839955427329
Bow down to Sir Ravindra Jadeja ?♀ pic.twitter.com/iKXQF7GLbM
— A (@AppeFizzz) December 4, 2020
Ravindra Jadeja – WOW. Look at the bat swing and the authority in the shot, he smashed back a 145kmph for fun, what a knock. 44 in just 23 balls, his innings takes India to 161. pic.twitter.com/fYGWexbn23
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 4, 2020
Statue of destruction #AUSvsIND #jadeja pic.twitter.com/vSpiz6pmj5
— bobby (@ThankosT) December 4, 2020