Ravindra Jadeja: Used the crease to confuse, create doubts in minds of batters

India`s Ravindra Jadeja celebrates after the dismissal of Australia`s Matt Renshaw (not pictured) during the first day of the first Test cricket match between India and Australia at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium in Nagpur. Pic/AFP

Ravindra Jadeja insisted on Thursday that the Nagpur pitch is no "rank turner" as is being bandied around by some.

Jadeja took 5 for 47 on his international comeback with the prized scalps of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith as Australia managed only 177 in their first innings on Day 1 of the first Test.

"This wasn't a rank turner. Compared to other pitches, it was slow and had low bounce. I felt defending wasn't difficult today, but as the game progresses, it [defending] will become difficult," Jadeja said at the end of day's play.

Also read: Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Ravindra Jadeja returns with high five!

"I used the crease as not every delivery was turning. And, as I said, the bounce was low, so trying [I tried] to create doubts in the minds of the batters. I was going wide off the crease and coming close to the stumps and some deliveries if they stepped out and it turned, there would always be a chance. Luckily, he [Labuschagne] stepped out and that one [delivery] turned after pitching. And for [Steve] Smith, the ball went straight from that same spot," explained Jadeja.

Australia batter Peter Handscomb meanwhile said that the pitch "tricked" them as it did a lot less than what they had feared. "It definitely wasn't easy out there. It's tough because when the pitch is playing tricks that starts to play with your
mind a little bit as well," said Handscomb.

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