The opponent batsman has to be extra careful on the field with Ravindra Jadeja around. The left-hander makes it tougher for the batting pair to steal quick singles, especially when he is inside the 30-yard circle. His terrific fielding skills outplay the batters and the same thing happened during the 2nd ODI against Australia in Nagpur on Tuesday.
The Aussies were inching closer to victory while chasing the modest 251-run target. However, Jadeja’s direct hit sent Peter Handscomb back to the dressing room, barring him from getting a half-century.
The incident happened during the 38th over when Shami bowled a good-length delivery and Handscomb fended it off to the point region. Marcus Stoinis, who was at the non-striker’s end, had taken off for a single already. Handscomb was doubtful but obliged for the risky single.
But Jadeja had some other plans. He sprinted up to collect the ball and dismantled the wickets at the bowler’s end, beating the pace of Handscomb.
Here’s the video:
Handscomb ended up scoring 48 runs after facing 59 deliveries and the disappointment was visible on the faces of the Australian players seated in the dressing room.
It was expected to be the turning point but wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carrey troubled the hosts along with Stoinis. The duo stitched a 47-run stand before he departed in the 45th over.
But Vijay Shankar turned the tables as he scalped the last two Australian batsmen when the visitors needed to score 11 runs for a series-levelling win. Shankar had played a good hand with the bat as well, scoring quick 46 runs in India's total of 250.