Watch: India vs Australia - Ravindra Jadeja Runs Havoc With Two Wickets In Two Balls

It was a comeback to remember for Ravindra Jadeja as he struck twice in one over to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne and Matt Renshaw on Day 1 of the first Test match between India and Australia in Nagpur on Thursday. Labuschagne looked all set to score his 15th half century but was completely fooled by a spinning delivery from Jadeja as he departed for 49. The right-hander moved forward in order to play the shot and KS Bharat made mistakes behind the stumps to complete his first Test stumping. In the next ball, Jadeja once again foxed the batsman and Renshaw was trapped LBW without scoring a run. 

No doubt KS Bharat is the best replacement of pant pic.twitter.com/dKcuxfPfGd

— Ayush™ 🇮🇳🚩 (@vkkings007) February 9, 2023

Earlier, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne did the repair works with a firm 74-run stand after Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami rattled Australia with two quick scalps early. 

At the end of the first session, the score read 76/2 for Australia, with Smith (19*) and Labuschagne (47*) unbeaten at the crease. 

Welcome back, Sir Jadeja. pic.twitter.com/wPkVT2pmvC

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 9, 2023

Opting to bat first, Australia was off to a terrible start as the Indian pace duo of Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami dismissed openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner for one run each. Khawaja was trapped lbw, while Shami sent Warner's off-stump cartwheeling to reduce Australia to 2/2 in 2.1 overs. 

Following this, Steve Smith and world number one ranked Test batter Marnus Labuschagne staged a fightback, braving raging Indian bowlers one ball at a time. Labuschagne looked extremely confident from ball one while Smith took some time to settle in. 

At the end of 10 overs, Australia was 20/2 with Marnus Labuschagne (8*) and Steve Smith (6*) at the crease. India had an edge after two early wickets. 

The dynamic Aussie duo of Smith (10*) and Labuschagne (28*) started getting close towards developing a 50-run stand. Australia was 48/2 in 20 overs. 

Smith struck a four to bring up the fifty-run stand in 123 balls. 

The duo took Australia safely through the remainder of the first session. 

(With PTI inputs) 

Topics mentioned in this article

Ravindra Jadeja Marnus Labuschagne Matt Renshaw India vs Australia, 2023 Cricket