Ravindra Jadeja‘s spectacular run-out of Will O’Rourke during the second innings of the Pune Test on October 26 has sparked comparisons to the legendary MS Dhoni. This moment unfolded in the 70th over, as New Zealand struggled against a formidable Indian bowling attack, trailing by over 350 runs with just one wicket remaining. Jadeja’s quick thinking and athleticism not only dismissed O’Rourke but also showcased his exceptional fielding skills, reminiscent of Dhoni’s iconic no-look run-outs.
Ravindra Jadeja does an MS Dhoni
As the day progressed, Jadeja’s brilliance shone through. The incident began when Glenn Phillips, who was aggressively batting, struck a shot towards the off-side that reached Washington Sundar. However, Sundar’s slow response allowed Phillips to attempt a risky second run. In a flash, Jadeja reacted by palming the ball towards the stumps without even glancing at them, a move that echoed Dhoni’s signature style. Initially, it seemed that O’Rourke had made it to safety, but replays confirmed he was just short of the crease, leading to New Zealand’s collapse for 255 runs.
Also READ: Twitter reactions: Mitchell Santner, Tom Latham put New Zealand in control against India on Day 2 of second Test
Here’s the video:
𝘼 𝙧𝙪𝙣-𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚!
A Ravindra Jadeja special! 🙌 🙌
Live ▶️ https://t.co/YVjSnKCtlI #TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @imjadeja | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/pqu4qE3GET
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 26, 2024
Jadeja’s bowling prowess on Day 3
On Day 3 of the Test match, Jadeja emerged as the standout bowler for India. He claimed three wickets early in the innings, beginning with Tom Blundell. His dismissals of Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel were executed with precision, both caught in the deep. Alongside Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin contributed by taking Tim Southee’s wicket, further dismantling New Zealand’s batting lineup. The combination of Jadeja and Ashwin proved lethal on a pitch that had become increasingly challenging for batters.
India gets going after the big target
With New Zealand setting a target of 359 runs for victory, India began their chase with determination. Yashasvi Jaiswal led from the front, displaying aggressive intent despite losing captain Rohit Sharma early in the innings. By lunch on Day 3, India had reached 81 for 1, with Jaiswal scoring briskly and showing no signs of pressure against a daunting target.
The pitch conditions played a crucial role in shaping the game. As spinners like Jadeja and Ashwin exploited its turning nature, New Zealand found it difficult to build momentum. Even well-timed shots often resulted in catches as batters struggled to adapt to the unpredictable bounce and spin. Jadeja’s ability to turn the ball sharply at speeds nearing the mid-90s added to New Zealand’s woes.
