Ravindra Jadeja, on Thursday (March 9), continued his domination over Steve Smith as he castled the Australia skipper to give India a much-needed breakthrough in the ongoing fourth Test.
Steve Smith won a good toss and decided to bat first at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Usman Khawaja and Travis Head gave the visitors a steady start by adding 61 runs for the first wicket. Ravichandran Ashwin broke the stand by sending back Head for 32.
11 runs later, India struck once again through Mohammed Shami to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne for just 3. Khawaja and Steve Smith then steadied the ship and ensured that Australia did not lose any wicket in the second session. It was the first time in this series that Australia did not lose any wicket in a session.
Ravindra Jadeja dismisses Steve Smith once again:
Steve Smith was well set and was looking set for a big knock when Ravindra Jadeja dismissed him once again during the final session of the first day. And the Australia’s star reaction made it clear that he was distraught with the dismissal.
The right-handed batsman was looking in good touch and had already 134 balls for his 38 runs before Jadeja managed to breach his defence once again. It was a flatter delivery on the off stump from the India spinner. Smith wanted to steer the ball towards off side but failed to make a good contact.
In the meantime, the ball took the inside edge and ricocheted off the pads before hitting the stumps. Smith just could not believe that he was bowled as he hit his bat into the ground in frustration.
Here is a clip of the dismissal:
GONEEEEE!
A sensational delivery by @imjadeja sends Steve Smith back to the pavilion. #TeamIndia strike! ?Tune-in to LIVE action in the Mastercard #INDvAUS Test on Star Sports & Disney+Hotstar! #BelieveInBlue #TestByFire #Cricket pic.twitter.com/YAydx9gYYW
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 9, 2023
The latest dismissal has further extended Jadeja’s domination over Smith. The left-arm spinner has now dismissed the Australia batting mainstay 7 times in Tests. He has also castled him 4 times in international cricket. No other bowler has managed to achieve the feat more than twice so far.
Ravindra Jadeja has bowled Steve Smith four times in international cricket.
Nobody else has done it more than twice.#INDvAUS
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) March 9, 2023
Steve Smith vs Ravindra Jadeja in India in Tests:
Runs – 198
Balls – 602
Wickets – 7
Average – 28.3Fantastic record for Sir Jadeja.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 9, 2023
Also Read: Watch: Rohit Sharma and Steve Smith Receive Test Caps From Prime Ministers Ahead Of 4th Test