After a gripping second day of play at the storied Eden Gardens, Ravindra Jadeja delivered one of the all-time second-innings spells on Indian soil, eviscerating South Africa’s top and middle-order with an incisive exhibition of drift, turn and unplayable bounce. In just the space of 14 overs, the left-arm spinner took four absolutely crucial wickets, converting a potentially awkward chase into a procession and giving India complete control of the match.
At stumps, South Africa was floundering in a precarious position (specifics depending on live updates, but whose score was already 6-7 down), with just the tail and a couple of fighters left to chase down a heap of runs.
First Blow – Markram Snagged by the Sweep Trap
Straight after lunch, Jadeja began his spell. Coming around the wicket to right-handed Markram, he bowled one full and quick outside off. Markram, being proactive, was trying to fetch a sweep from rather wide of the line. He did not get low enough, went through the shot early, and to the toe-end of bat, it went ballooning to Dhruv Jurel at short leg. The expression on Markram’s face revealed how he felt – 4 off 23 balls and South Africa lost their most experienced batter early. The trap was set. Jadeja could smell blood.
Mulder’s Confidence Destroyed in a Flash
Wiaan Mulder, brought in as a type of night-watchman, had looked surprisingly calm for about an hour. He started well, he defended well, and he even hit a classy boundary through covers. Just as the commentators were complimenting him on his composure –Â Jadeja bowled a ripper.
After coming around the wicket again, the ball pitched on a length that was perfect, took off viciously, and turned just enough to kiss Mulder’s glove as he pressed forward, defending the ball. Rishabh Pant completed the catch easily behind the stumps. Mulder was on his way for 11 (30). From 11 off 30 to complete disbelief – not a bad afternoon’s work for Jadeja.
Double Strike In Four Balls – de Zorzi’s Nightmare Begins Ends
Two balls later, Tony de Zorzi walked in to face the hat-trick ball. Jadeja, from round the wicket, darted one in, cramping the left-hander for room. de Zorzi tried to work it towards mid-wicket off the back foot, but the ball hurried, bounced extra, brushed the glove and thigh pad, and looped to the helmet again and to Jurel. Two runs, two balls, gone. South Africa was suddenly 5 down and staring down the barrel.
Tristan Stubbs Bowled by Ravindra Jadeja Rip
If the first three wickets demonstrated Jadeja’s bowling variety, the wicket of Tristan Stubbs will be replayed for years. Jadeja, coming slightly wider on the crease, got the ball to drift in beautifully towards off stump. Stubbs read the angle, got deep in the crease and decided to shoulder arms thinking the ball would pass harmlessly by the stumps. Instead, the ball spun sharply past the outside edge of the bat and clipped the top of off stump. The zing bails light up, Stubbs stood frozen in disbelief, the stadium erupted. A delivery that would have dismissed the very best – pure wizardry from the sword-wielding all-rounder of India.
Stats
250+ Test wickets in India
383 R Ashwin
350 Anil Kumble
265 Harbhajan Singh
250 Ravindra Jadeja *
Also Read:Â IND VS SA: Ravindra Jadeja’s 4-Wicket Haul Sinks South Africa In The Evening Session.