India vs Australia WATCH: Ravindra Jadeja avoids collision, sends Matthew Wade packing with an excellent catch

India vs Australia WATCH: Ravindra Jadeja avoids collision, sends Matthew Wade packing with an excellent catch

Ravindra Jadeja's catch to dismiss Matthew Wade

Ravindra Jadeja's catch to dismiss Matthew Wade
Ravindra Jadeja’s catch to dismiss Matthew Wade

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is renowned for his athletic efforts in the field. Back in the side for the Boxing Day Test, Jadeja was in the midst of the action as he sent opener Matthew Wade packing in the 12th over. Wade chipped up a delivery from Ravichandran Ashwin only to get caught by the Shaurastra all-rounder at mid-wicket. Jadeja caught an excellent catch running back while avoiding collision with debutant Shubman Gill.

India were off a to a great star as opener Joe Burns perished early. But Wade and Marnus Labuschagne looked solid as they went about to stitch a 25 run stand. That was before Wade, the makeshift opener decided to take on Ashwin. But agonisingly fell short as he was unable to clear the 30-yard circle. For a moment it looked like the visitors have botched yet another catch this tour. But it was Jadeja’s agility which prevailed as Gill was saved from the embarrassment of ruining a perfect start for his side.

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Australia fold for just 195 at the MCG

India Cricket Team

After an eight-wicket mauling in Adelaide, India have bounced back strong under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane. The visitors were right on the money with their strategies from the get-go as they took on the driver’s seat. Barring the efforts from Wade, Labuschagne and Travis Head, the hosts failed to put any resistance against a red hot Indian bowling attack. Jasprit Bumrah and Ashwin ran riot through the Aussie line up with four and three wickets respectively. Debutant Mohammed Siraj was impressive in his spell of 15 overs as he joined the party with two wickets on debut.

Having done the job with the ball in hand, India got off to a rocky start with the bat. The visitors lost opener Mayank Agarwal for a duck in the first over. However, debutant Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara are on the mend as you read. Gill has looked good so far and is lending a good, solid hand to Pujara in steadying the ship. Rahane’s captaincy, which was under much scrutiny in the build-up to the game, has proved to be up to the task in the crucial encounter. India will have to win this Test to keep the Border Gavaskar series alive with two more games to follow.

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