Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been the best fielder of India for the last few years and he just keeps getting better as he took an absolute screamer to dismiss Neil Wagner during the second day of the 2nd Test between New Zealand and India.
The visitors came back strongly on day two and caused a collapse for New Zealand. They were down to 177/8 and were well on their way to be bowled out below 200 runs. But Neil Wagner marched in and he started a rearguard action along with Kyle Jamieson. They added 50 runs for the ninth wicket and once again, a similar story for India as the tail came back to haunt India.
It needed something special to break the partnership and Jadeja delivered the goods to break the partnership. Wagner went for the pull off a Shami delivery, he nailed it but there was Ravindra Jadeja waiting at the deep square leg boundary where he jumped, stuck out his left hand and plucked an absolute sensational catch to end the innings. The hosts bowled out for 235 runs in the end.
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This catch from India’s Ravi Jadeja is indescribable. Have a feeling it’ll make tonight’s #SCTop10. (cc: @SportsCenter) #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/I62klS69jX
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) March 1, 2020
The famous commentator Ian Smith labelled the catch as ‘One of the greatest outfield catch in the history of the game’. Shami then got rid of Kyle Jamieson on 49 as India managed to earn a slender lead of 7 runs at the end of the first innings.
However, it was a disappointing show from India’s top-order in the second innings as well. Before the end of day’s play, India are already six down with only 90 runs on the board. Indian captain Virat Kohli had yet another failure and ends the tour with some horrifying stats. He managed to score only one fifty in this tour.
New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult hurt the Indian batsmen again and ripped apart the top order. He picked up three wickets and conceded only 12 runs in 9 overs. Tim Southee, Grandhomme and Neil Wagner all picked up one wicket each. With Rishabh Pant and Hanuma Vihari on the crease, India’s fate depends on them now as they lead by only 90 runs after the end of day two.
Meanwhile, after the end of the day, Jadeja explained how he managed to take the stunning catch to send back Wagner.
“I was expecting him (Wagner) to score towards deep square leg. But I didn’t expect the ball to come at that pace. It came so quickly with the wind and I just stuck my hand out. I didn’t even realise when I took the catch. We bowled well as a unit. We will look to bat well and bowl them out again,” he said.
