On the third day of Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India’s star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja wrapped up Australia’s second innings by achieving his career’s best figure of 7 wickets
in 12.1 overs.
Jadeja made a sneaky jab at the Australian batter for always attempting to sweep him and said that playing these shots against him is not a good option on this kind of wicket.
As many as six Australian batters fell while sweeping or reverse-sweeping in the innings. After bowlers skittled out visitors for 113, Rohit Sharma, Srikar Bharat and Cheteshwar Pujara held their ground to help India register an emphatic 6-wicket victory against Australia in the second Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy here at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday.
“Don’t think a sweep is a good option against me on this kind of wicket,” Ravindra Jadeja said in the post-match presentation.
Left-arm spinner Jadeja was the tormentor-in-chief with a career-best 7/42 in the second innings while his partner-in-crime Ashwin picked 3/59. Australian batters fell to a mix of bad sweep shots and accurate deliveries which kept low, sliding from 85/2 to 113 all out.
India’s spinner dominated the proceedings in the first session, rolling Australia out for 113. The hosts chased down the target with six wickets in hand.
“I think I was enjoying my bowling. These wickets suit me because the odd ball spins and some stay low. I knew they’d play sweeps and reverse sweeps, so my idea was just keeping it simple and straight. I knew they were looking for runs, so the plan was just bowling into the stumps. If they make a mistake, I have a chance,” he said.
Coming to match, India retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by taking a 2-0 lead in the four-match series. Pujara (31) and Bharat (23) played till the end to guide their team home. For India, Ravindra Jadeja ripped through Australia with 7 wickets for 42.
By all-round performance, India is leading the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by 2-0.