“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
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.
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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.
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“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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