India’s comeback man, Ravindra Jadeja was exceptional in the first match against Australia as he picked up 7 wickets and made 70 runs.
Additionally, he was awarded the Player of the Match for this exceptional performance as well.
In the first innings, Australia was able to score only 177 runs on the board.
India, on the other hand, scored 400 runs, thanks to contributions from Rohit Sharma, Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Mohammed Shami.
In the end, India was able to win the game by an inning and 132 runs which increased their chances of making it to the World Test Championship final.
But, Jadeja was not in the news only for his batting and bowling. There was another thing that kept him in the headlines.
On Day 1, he was seen applying some pain-relieving ointment on his left hand’s index finger which created a big controversy.
The ICC then released a statement in which they found Jadeja guilty of breaching the Code of Conduct.
Therefore, he has been fined 25 percent of his match fees and also given a demerit point for his disciplinary record by the ICC.
As Jadeja has accepted the offense, there is now no need for a formal hearing on the issue by the ICC.
Jadeja elated after winning Player of the Match Award
Meanwhile, Jadeja has expressed happiness about getting the Player of the Match award after winning the Nagpur Test.
Says Jadeja,
It feels amazing…after five months, give 100%, taking wickets and scoring runs. Feels amazing. I’ve been working hard when I was at NCA, also doing my rehab. Would like that all the NCA staff, physios, trainers, they have been working hard with me.
Adding further, he says,
I looked to bowl in the good areas, the ball was spinning, the ball was going straight and also keeping low. I know the Australians will look to play sweep and reverse sweep. Generally I look to keep things very simple [with the bat] and not change too much. I focus more on my batting now because it’s crucial number 5, 6, 7, so have to put myself in a pressure situation.
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