IND v NZ, World Cup 2023: 4 years after Manchester heartbreak, Ravindra Jadeja steps up to finish off chase

Ravindra Jadeja walked into bat at No. 7 with his team in a spot of bother in a World Cup run-chase against New Zealand. 4 years ago, Jadeja gave it his all in a valiant 59-ball 77 that was not enough for India to overcome the penultimate hurdle in the 2019 World Cup. In his first World Cup knock since that heartbreaking outing, Jadeja stepped up and answered a few critics.

Virat Kohli’s 95 stole all the limelight in Dharamsala as India successfully completed a 274-run chase against their nemesis, New Zealand on Sunday, October 23. However, Ravindra Jadeja played a crucial knock of 39 and stayed till the end to get the team past the finish line, something that he was not able to do 4 years ago.

IND v NZ, World Cup 2023: Highlights | Report

It was not as tense as the 2019 World Cup semi-final in which he joined hands with MS Dhoni when India were reeling at 92 for 6 in their 240-run chase. There was a bit of tension in the air as India had lost two quick wickets and slipped to 191 for 5 in the 34th over. There was chaos in the middle as Virat Kohli made a rare wrong call that led to the run out of his batting, partner Suryakumar Yadav for 2.

Ravindra Jadeja walked into the middle to join Virat Kohli when the game was still in the balance with New Zealand looking to put more pressure on India.

However, Jadeja looked composed and solid in the middle, giving the right company to Virat Kohli who shook off the run-out episode to produce another masterclass in a successful run chase for India.

Jadeja hit 3 boundaries and a six for his 39-ball 44 and, more importantly, remained in the middle till the final ball of the match was bowled. Jadeja hit the winning runs after India lost Virat Kohli for 95 in the 48th over.

Jadeja helped ease the pressure off Kohli as he got going with a couple of boundaries. Jadeja, with his experience, did not do anything fancy as he was happy to hand the strike back to Virat Kohli, knowing that the asking rate was under control.

MAKING UP FOR IT

Speaking to Star Sports, legendary Sunil Gavaskar highlighted that Jadeja looked pumped up to prove a point after a rare dropped catch during the New Zealand innings.

“We needed something like this, it’s good to see Jadeja showing that he can do it as well. He showed great temperament. I think he was raring to do something after that very rare miss, the dropped catch. You don’t see him dropping catches. He wanted to make up for that and what a wonderful innings,” Gavaskar said.

Jadeja and India getting a tough batting test early in the tournament is only going to get them more battle-ready. It was good to see Jadeja take responsibility and deliver with the bat as questions were asked about his batting form in the lead-up to the World Cup.

Jadeja did struggle in the Asia Cup, managing scores of just 14, 4 and 7. He did not trouble the scorers much in the 3-match ODI series against Australia earlier this year.

However, the dependable all-rounder put his hand up and delivered with the bat, showing he is ready for bigger battles at the big stage.