It was that familiar sight again. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja came up with a beautiful delivery that bamboozled the set Australian batter Steve Smith during the India vs Australia match in the ICC Cricket World Cup on Sunday. Smith was batting well and looked good for a big score, before Jadeja, as is his wont, dismissed him with his trademark left-arm spin. Smith had to walk back, four runs short of his half century as India broke up the Smith-Marnus Labuschagne partnership before it got dangerous. (Scorecard | Match Blog | Streaming)
The wicket fell just after a lengthy drinks break, giving rise to the question whether it was a lapse in concentration on Smith's part or "brain fade", as he once famously said. But it would be foolhardy to take the credit away from Jadeja, and his knack of turning the ball enough to beat the inside as well as outside edge from time to time. You can watch the video below to see for yourself.
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The ball was pitched on a good length, around middle stump. Smith tried to defend from middle and off, but the ball deviated enough to hit the outer-half of the off stump. Smith was the second Australian batter to be dismissed after getting set, the first one being David Warner, who was caught and bowled by leggie Kuldeep Yadav for a 52-ball 41.
Smith's dismissal led to a mini-collapse, as Jadeja continued to weave his magic on the MA Chidambaram which he knows like the back of his hand, having played a lot of IPL cricket here for the Chennai Super Kings. Jadeja had Labuschagne caught behind for 27, and then two deliveries later, trapped Alex Carey in front for a two-ball duck to leave Australia five down for 119.
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Earlier, Australia skipper Pat Cummins opted to bat first after winning the toss in what is the World Cup opener for both sides. In-form India opener Shubman Gill, who is down with dengue, could not recover in time and left-handed Ishan Kishan has been drafted in as his replacement.
