World Cup 2023: I know the conditions – Ravindra Jadeja after superb spell against Australia in Chennai

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja made the most of the known conditions in the team’s World Cup opener against Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday. Jadeja, who plays for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL with Chennai being their home ground, breathed down the neck of the Australian bowlers.

In fact, Jadeja was the last bowler to be brought on by Indian skipper Rohit Sharma into the attack. However, the left-arm orthodox spinner was quick to make a mark as he bamboozled a well-settled Steve Smith with a peach of a delivery, that turned viciously and hit the top of off.

Subsequently, Jadeja bowled a two-wicket over as he dismissed Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey. The veteran had Labuschagne edged to KL Rahul and plumbed Carey in front of the wickets.

Jadeja returned with impressive figures of 3-28 in his quota of 10 overs (with two maidens) and played a key role in skittling out Australia at 199 after Pat Cummins won the toss and decided to bat first. These are also Jadeja’s best bowling figures in World Cup matches.

Ravindra Jadeja said in the mid-innings while talking to the host broadcaster, Star Sports, “I play for CSK so I know the conditions here, when I saw the pitch I thought I should get 2-3 wickets, luckily I got three wickets, and am very happy. I was looking to bowl into the stumps and there was turn, you never know which one is going straight and which one is turning, the odd ball was turning and I was just mixing the pace.”

Giving his gratitude to the fans, Jadeja said, “Chennai crowd always come in good numbers and it is good to see a full house. Just go out there and play simple cricket, not try anything fancy, and keep it simple.”

Australia collapsed from 110-2 to 140-7 as the Men in Yellow lost five wickets for only 30 runs in 9.2 overs. Furthermore, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav scalped two wickets apiece for the Indian team.