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'Still figuring what it means': Shastri sparks '3D cricketers' debate after Karthik's 'sensitive' comment
Former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden hence went on to call Jadeja “three-dimensional cricketer” before being warned by Dinesh Karthik on air that it was a “sensitive topic”, leaving ex-India head coach Ravi Shastri, who was part of the commentary panel, on sticky wicket.
Among modern-day all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja has always been the highest-rated among them, across formats. Not just for his abilities with the bat and bowl, which has once again been on display in the ongoing first Test between India and Australia in Nagpur, but also for his terrific fielding. Former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden hence went on to call him “three-dimensional cricketer” before being warned by Dinesh Karthik on air that it was a “sensitive topic”, leaving ex-India head coach Ravi Shastri, who was part of the commentary panel, on sticky wicket. (India vs Australia Live Score and Updates 1st Test Day 2)
Jadeja, on returning to cricket after five months of injury lay-off, picked his 11th five-wicket haul as India folded Australia for just 177 on Day 1. On the second afternoon, he stitched a crucial fifty-run stand alongside captain Rohit Sharma as India added to their lead after quickly going five down.
Speaking on the all-rounder, Hayden was all praise for him calling him a “three-dimensional cricketer” during his commentary. Karthik immediately responded to the statement saying, “Three-dimensional cricketers are a very sensitive topic in this part of the world, I must say,” giving a reminder to the debate around Vijay Shankar's selection for the 2019 World Cup ahead of Ambati Rayudu with the then chief selector MSK Prasad hailing the all-rounder as a ‘3D cricketer’. The statement from the selector had created quite a stir after Rayudu had put out a tweet mocking him `before taking it down.
Hayden pocked fun at Shastri saying, “Come on now, don't keep the suspense any longer,” before Karthik replied, “May be Ravi bhai can enlighten you on that,” as he burst into laughter.
“I don't think I have ever witnessed Ravi Shastri backing down from a challenge. What is it big fella?” Hayden continued.
Shastri, who was then the head coach of the Indian team, immediately diverted the topic to Rohit nearing his milestone century. However, with both Karthik and Hayden trying to get a comment out of him on the matter, he responded taking a dig at the then selection committee saying that he still doesn't know what the ‘3D' remark meant.
“Nice when a player was picked some time ago and one of the selectors mentioned that he was a three-dimensional cricketer. I'm still trying to figure out what that means,” Shastri said.
Hayden laughed and added, “What I meant, just for clarity is, a really terrific fielder, decent with bat and can bowl.”
Talking about the match, Rohit's ton helped India take a 49-run lead against Australia.
