Ravindra Jadeja delivered a memorable performance on Friday (November 1) in the third Test between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The left-arm spinner, showcasing his impeccable control and experience, ripped through New Zealand’s batting lineup to claim his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. His stellar spell concluded with a remarkable dismissal of Matt Henry for a first-ball duck, sealing a commanding position for India. This spell was not just crucial in the context of the match but also significant in Jadeja’s journey, as he surpassed milestones that placed him among India’s all-time greats.
Challenging conditions for New Zealand at the start
Winning the toss and opting to bat, New Zealand entered with confidence but quickly faced difficulties on a pitch that began to show signs of wear from the first session. The surface offered both turn and bounce, with a variable pace that kept Indian spinners interested. Three early wickets fell in the morning session, though Jadeja remained wicketless as he found his rhythm. Despite the conditions, New Zealand’s Will Young and Daryl Mitchell seemed to stabilize the innings, building an 87-run stand and showing signs of a comeback. However, this effort was short-lived as Jadeja began his lethal spell after lunch, dismantling the Blackcaps lineup.
Ravindra Jadeja’s spell: A perfectly timed breakthrough and a five-wicket Haul
Jadeja’s first breakthrough came at a crucial juncture. The experienced left-arm spinner broke the threatening stand between Young and Mitchell, with Young pushing forward to a delivery that turned just enough to kiss the edge and land safely in slip’s hands. This opening wicket seemed to unlock Jadeja’s full potential. Just three balls later, he bowled a stunning delivery to wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell, pitching on middle and leg and turning to take the top of off stump. Not long after, he added Glenn Phillips to his tally, dismissing him with a straighter ball that darted in to crash into the stumps. By tea, Jadeja’s three-wicket haul had dented New Zealand’s progress, shifting momentum firmly in India’s favor.
Returning in the third session, Jadeja showed no signs of slowing down. He dismissed Ish Sodhi and Henry in the same over, marking his second double-wicket over of the day. This fifth wicket marked yet another impactful performance from the all-rounder, underscoring his value in the Indian lineup with a sublime five-wicket haul.
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Jadeja stuns the Kiwis with a double strike 💥
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Also WATCH: Washington Sundar cleans up Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra to disrupt New Zealand’s top order on Day 1 of 3rd Test
Jadeja’s record-breaking milestones
With these dismissals, Jadeja crossed the 311-wicket milestone in Tests, surpassing Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma to become the fifth-highest wicket-taker for India in Test history. Additionally, he matched the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi’s tally of 14 five-wicket hauls, achieved in 118 innings compared to Jadeja’s 145, demonstrating his prowess in India’s bowling legacy. He also became India’s highest wicket-taking left-arm bowler, marking a historic achievement. Jadeja’s performance was a testament to his skill and experience, reinforcing his standing as one of India’s premier Test match-winners. His brilliant spell left New Zealand struggling to recover, showcasing the impact of his return to form.