New Delhi: As India ends day 1 of the first Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Australian media began the mind games. Fox cricket accused Ravindra Jadeja of using some external substance on his fingers while bowling. Jadeja was, reportedly, applying a pain-relief ointment that is permitted under ICC’s rules.
Jadeja has been away from cricket for almost five months due to knee surgery and is not used to bowling long spells. He bowled 22 overs on day 1 and had soreness in his fingers, for which the bowler was applying pain-relief ointment.
Adding fuel to the fire, former Australian captain Tim Paine also reacted the news and wrote, “Interesting.”
Interesting
— Tim Paine (@tdpaine36) February 9, 2023
In the build-up to the game, Fox cricket has made several accusations against the Indian team and the management. The Australian media platform started with calling the Nagpur wicket a disgrace, and then questioned the DRS decision tainst Usman Khawaja.
Australian media and players are known for such mind-games and remarks while Indian senior players Ravichandran Ashwin have always given it back both on and off the field.
In the game, Ravindra Jadeja picked a five-wicket haul. He went on to break the 82-run stand between Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. After dismissing Labuschagne for 49, he got Matt Renshaw out on the next ball.
While Smith and Peter Handcomb tried to make a comeback for their side, Jadeja struck again to dismissed Smith for 37 off 107. Handscomb fought and stood his guard, till Jadeja trapped him lbw for 31 off 84 to complete his five-wicket haul.
Australia was wrapped up for 177 while courtesy of Rohit Sharma’s quickfire fifty that India reached a score of 77/1 at stumps.
