Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round performance helped India seal a 5-wicket win over Australia in the first ODI (AP Photo)
Ravindra Jadeja reveals how he had to make changes to his pace, line and length to adjust from Test cricket to the ODI format
Ravindra Jadeja won his third Player of the Match award in five matches, sandwiched between a Player of the Series award, which he shared with Ravichandran Ashwin during the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023. Jadeja took 2 wickets, completed a sensational diving catch and returned unbeaten. With the help of 45, India defeated Australia by five wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
After an early scare, in which Hardik Pandya’s side were reduced to 39/4 in their chase of 189, however, KL Rahul and Jadeja put on a crucial match-winning partnership of 108 runs.
Earlier, Jadeja picked up the crucial wicket of Mitchell Marsh after Pandya won the toss and invited Australia to bat first. Travis Head was dismissed cheaply but his opening partner Marsh made 81.
Jadeja, however, removed the Australian opener at a crucial juncture in the match, which marked the downfall of the visitors. They were all out for 188 from 139/4.
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The Indian all-rounder made a stunning comeback in the format, playing his first ODI after being out for over 8 months due to injury.
Highlighting how he adjusted from the longest format to the 50-over format, Jadeja said that he was looking to adjust his line and length along with changing the pace.
“I am playing ODI cricket after 8 months so I was trying to get used to the format as soon as possible. Luckily with the ball, I got a few wickets,” the 34-year-old told the broadcaster at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“When I went out to bat, I was looking to build a partnership with KL. I knew the total was small but still we had to chase it. We are playing Test cricket. Line and length is different from Test cricket. You have to vary your length and pace,” Jadeja said.
“I was looking to bowl in good areas and I was getting a bit of turn as well. I was looking for a partnership of around 70-80 runs today and that’s what happened. It was not easy to play big shots as the ball was swinging,” the Indian all-rounder added.
With a hard-fought win over Australia, India took a 1-0 lead in the ODI series and the focus now turns to the 2nd ODI to be played in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, March 19 as the hosts look to seal the series . With the return of full-time captain Rohit Sharma.
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