Making his comeback from injury in international cricket, Ravindra Jadeja was in blistering form in the ongoing first Test match between India and Australia, at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha. The all-rounder created history to mark his comeback on Friday, becoming the only Indian to register a five-wicket haul and score a half-century in the same match on five occasions. The 34-year-old bagged a five-wicket haul on Day 1 and then followed it up with an unbeaten half-century on Day 2. Achieving the feat, Jadeja broke Kapil Dev's (4) record of registering a fifty and picking a fifer in the same match.
Other than his stunning all-round display, Jadeja also found himself caught in controversy on Day 1, when a video of Mohammed Siraj rubbing something on the all-rounder's bowling palm went viral, and he could be seen applying it to his left index finger. According to reports, match referee Andy Pycroft did approach India captain Rohit Sharma and Jadeja at the end of day's play and showed them the video. Rohit and the Indian team management's explanation was that it was a pain relief ointment that he was putting on his fingers.
On Day 1, Jadeja tore apart Australia's batting order, removing Marnus Labuschagne (49), Steve Smith (37), Matt Renshaw (0), Peter Handscomb (31) and Todd Murphy (0). Meanwhile, R Ashwin also took three wickets as Australia were bowled out for 177 in 63.5 overs. In response, India put in a good batting start on Day 1, with opener Rohit remaining unbeaten. Rohit built on his momentum to slam a ton on Day 2, becoming the first Indian captain to score a hundred across all formats in international cricket.
{{/usCountry}}On Day 1, Jadeja tore apart Australia's batting order, removing Marnus Labuschagne (49), Steve Smith (37), Matt Renshaw (0), Peter Handscomb (31) and Todd Murphy (0). Meanwhile, R Ashwin also took three wickets as Australia were bowled out for 177 in 63.5 overs. In response, India put in a good batting start on Day 1, with opener Rohit remaining unbeaten. Rohit built on his momentum to slam a ton on Day 2, becoming the first Indian captain to score a hundred across all formats in international cricket.
{{/usCountry}}Rohit smacked 120 runs off 212 balls, including 15 fours and two sixes. Meanwhile, Jadeja hammered an unbeaten knock of 66 runs off 170 balls, including nine fours, as India reached 321 for seven in 114 overs, at Stumps, taking a lead of 144 runs. Jadeja will resume batting with Axar Patel on Day 3, who also registered an unbeaten knock of 52 runs off 102 balls, hitting eight fours.