Australia’s Strong Start in ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023
Australia kicked off their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 journey on a high note, with David Warner and Steve Smith setting the stage for a formidable total against India. However, the game took a dramatic turn when Ravindra Jadeja claimed three pivotal wickets.
Jadeja’s Impactful Performance Against Australia
Jadeja’s exceptional bowling performance dismantled Australia’s middle-order, causing a slump from 110/2 to 119/5 within just 16 balls. This shift handed India the reins of the match on a spin-friendly pitch.
The left-arm spinner delivered an unbeatable ball to Steve Smith, which turned almost square, breaking his defence. He swiftly followed this with the dismissals of Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey in the subsequent over.
Turning Point of the Match
Despite the comfort of playing all his seven ODIs in 2023 against India on Indian soil, Australia’s No.3 was dismissed at a crucial juncture while crafting a stylish 46. Jadeja identified this as the turning point of the match.
“The dismissal of Steve Smith was the game-changer. Post that, it was challenging for the new batter to rotate the strike,” Jadeja explained. “From that point, they went from 110/3 to 199 all out.”
Jadeja’s Bowling Strategy
Jadeja’s spell to Smith was marked by quicker deliveries with less turn, until the wicket-taking ball, which was slower and turned more than five degrees, outwitting the batter’s defensive push.
“My strategy was straightforward. I treated it like a Test match bowling wicket and avoided experimenting too much. I aimed to bowl stump to stump,” Jadeja shared.
Crucial Role in India’s Winning Start
Jadeja’s 10 overs, conceding only 28 runs for three wickets, played a vital role in India’s victorious start to the tournament on home ground. However, he admitted that the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai was not as spin-friendly as he had anticipated.
India’s Successful Chase
Despite an initial stumble in the run chase at 2/3, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul’s 165-run stand for the fourth wicket effectively secured India’s win. Jadeja, along with the other Indian bowlers, had laid the groundwork for this victory in the first innings.
Upcoming World Cup Fixtures
India’s next World Cup match is against Afghanistan in Delhi on Wednesday, followed by a high-profile clash with Pakistan in Ahmedabad on October 14. Australia, on the other hand, will face South Africa in Lucknow on Thursday.