Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was the star on Friday for the Ajinkya Rahane-led Indian cricket team as the visitors wrapped up Australia for 338 runs on the second day of the third Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. India ended Day 2 on 96/2 with Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara at the crease.
Starting the day on 166/2, Australia looked in complete control with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne seemingly comfortable at the crease. However, Jadeja struck immediately after the duo had forged a 100-run partnership.
The left-arm spinner was given more overs to bowl on the second day after his limited action on Day 1, and the Saurashtra player didn’t disappoint. After dismissing Labuschagne earlier in the day, Jadeja took wickets of Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon to finish with a figure of 62/4.
Is there anything Jaddu can't do? Watching him today has been an absolute treat. 🔥🇮🇳🇦🇺#AUSvIND
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) January 8, 2021
Out - Labuschagne is out for 91 following a sharp catch from Rahane at slip.
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2021
Live #AUSvIND: https://t.co/xdDaedY10F pic.twitter.com/CzSnX2Hiv4
And for his next trick, Sir Jadeja will TURN WATER INTO WINE. #AUSvIND
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) January 8, 2021
If breaking the deadlock with his bowling wasn’t enough, Jadeja was solely responsible for the biggest breakthrough for India as his brilliant piece of fielding sent a dangerous-looking Smith back to the pavilion.
Experts and followers of the game took to Twitter to express their love for the 32-year-old all-rounder!
That was absolutely ridiculous throw jaddu @imjadeja you can throw rockets 🚀 with your hands . Take a bow sir jadeja 🙏🏽 incredible stuff out there .#AUSvIND #INDvsAUSTest #SydneyTest pic.twitter.com/lxOPXvmAFM
— Sudarshan Patil (@Sidhpatil78) January 8, 2021
In many ways, my moment of the match. Sensational from @imjadeja
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 8, 2021
Seemingly impossible that only Jadeja the fielder could have made possible. Not just the accuracy of the throw but the sheer speed of the throw was the key to that run out. Absolutely brilliant!
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 8, 2021
👏👏👏
What. A. Throw. All hail Sir Jadeja. Kya player hai yaar....will score runs in this Test too. #AusvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 8, 2021
I would pay a considerable amount of money to just watch Jadeja practice direct hits
— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) January 8, 2021
Give Sir Jadeja a horse in Man of the Match if India wins. #AUSvIND
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) January 8, 2021
Later in the day, the Indian openers saw off the new ball well. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill knitted the visitors' first 50-run partnership for the opening wicket. They outlasted more overs than all of the openers combined in the first four innings.
While Rohit fell to Josh Hazlewood for 26, Gill went on to bag his maiden Test half-century as India trail by 242 runs after Day 2.
International six No.424 for Rohit Sharma!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2021
Live #AUSvIND: https://t.co/xdDaedY10F pic.twitter.com/nypB41kYvB
A deserved 50 for Gill 👏 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/iexCpfiGI0
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2021
