IND vs AUS: Ravindra Jadeja knocks over Marnus Labuschagne with a ripper

Australia gave a great account of themselves on the second day of the Delhi Test despite managing just a slender lead. However, India made the most of the morning session on Day 3, highlighted by the dismissal of in-form Marnus Labuschagne. The no.1 Test batter in the world was cleaned up by Ravindra Jadeja for the third time in four innings in the Border Gavaskar series.

The visitors ended the second day on a high, thanks to a brisk stand between Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne. Head, who was looking in ominous touch, was dismissed in the very first over of the day by Ravichandran Ashwin. The southpaw's demise brought Steve Smith to the crease, as Australia sensed a rebuild.

However, Ashwin, who was looking the more dangerous of the Indian spinners, accounted for Smith for a second time in the match after trapping him in front of the wicket. As if Smith's departure wasn't bad enough for the Aussies, Ravindra Jadeja breached Labuschagne's defence with an arm-ball to rattle his stumps. 

#Marnuslabuschagne gone
4th one for #india#INDvAUS #INDvsAUS #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/inQuOotNCF

— Abhilash Bhardwaj (@Abhilas35283135) February 19, 2023

It was the third time that the Indian left-arm spinner had got rid of the Australian ace in the ongoing series. Jadeja was cock a hoop as the Australian batter was looking in decent touch and was looking to score freely at the crease. He looked shell-shocked after his dismissal as the ball kept a shade low. 

His dismissal triggered a mini-collapse as Matt Renshaw departed in the very next over. The tall batter was caught plumb in front of the wicket trying to sweep Ashwin. The home side gained a significant advantage in the following over, when Jadeja got rid of first innings hero Peter Handscomb for three ball duck with a beautiful delivery. 

Australian skipper Pat Cummins, who played a valiant cameo in the first innings, saw his stumps disturbed for a first-ball duck just after the drinks back as he tried a reckless swipe against Jadeja. He then knocked over Alex Carey to claim his second five-for in the series.

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