Former India captain MS Dhoni is known for his unusual ways of pulling off run outs. Dhoni’s deflection often finds the stumps catching batters short of the crease. On Day 3 of the ongoing second Test at Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium, Pune, Ravindra Jadeja pulled off a run out in similar fashion and that too unintentionally.
In the 70th over of New Zealand's innings, Glenn Phillips hit the ball towards sweeper cover and tried to take a couple of runs. Washington Sundar wasn't expecting it and was caught off-guard. But when his throw came in, Jadeja flicked it towards the stumps and was on target. Virat Kohli had a good view at the stumps and appealed immediately while Jadeja wasn't sure. The replay showed that tailender William O’Rourke was just short of the crease. He departed for a three-ball duck.
Jadeja’s wickets on Day 3 morning
Jadeja was effective with the ball taking three wickets in the first hour of Day 3. His first victim was Tom Blundell. The wicketkeeper-batter was set up nicely by the left-arm spinner. Jadeja caught him by surprise with an arm ball which crashed into the stumps. He broke the 48-run partnership for the sixth wicket which looked threatening.
Jadeja's second wicket was Mitchell Santner who bagged seven wickets in the first innings. Santner went for a big shot against his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teammate. He got the elevation but not the distance. Jasprit Bumrah took an easy catch at long-on. Santner scored just four runs from 16 balls.
Jadeja's third wicket was Ajaz Patel. The left-handed batter went for a slog-sweep but was caught at deep mid-wicket by Washington Sundar. Patel departed after scoring one run from 12 balls. Jadeja bowled 19.4 overs including three maidens. He conceded 72 runs and claimed three wickets.
Uphill task for India
Earlier, in the first innings, he top-scored for India with a 46-ball 38. His services will be required as New Zealand set a 359-run target. India need a win in Pune to keep their home record of not losing a Test series in over a decade alive.
