Jadeja’s 5 for 33 was only the second World Cup fifer by an Indian spinner after Yuvraj Singh(5/31) achieved the feat in the 2011 edition against Ireland.And the star all-rounder deservedly earned wholehearted praise from his skipperRohit Sharma after the match. Rohit commended Jadeja’s understanding of his role and the team’s expectations, acknowledging the all-rounder’s significant contribution to the team.
Former Pakistan cricketers also agreed with Rohit’s praise and said that on turning pitches Jadeja is a tough bowler to face.
“The ball starts turning a little bit, and the pace at which they bowl. So after that it becomes very difficult. [When the ball starts turning a bit and with the pace he bowls. It’s very tough to face Jadeja],” Shoaib Malik, former Pakistan captain, said during a discussion on ‘A Sports’.
Malik explained why Jadeja’s deliveries are tough to negotiate in such conditions.
“From where he bowls, it looks very difficult. He bowls a little wider the crease and has a slightly round arm in his action. When the ball drifts like this, it is difficult to face. [He bowls from wider the crease with round arm action. And when the ball drifts from that angle, it becomes very difficult to face him],” Malik explained.
Bowling legend Wasim Akram compared Jadeja’s pace with the one of South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj in the match.
“But if we look at the comparison, I think it was 96 or 98 km when Maharaj jabbed Gill out, his pace was 80 to 84 km, and when Jadeja bowled I think it was 96 or 98 km. That’s the difference. [If you compare the pace of Maharaj’s delivery when he bowled Gill, which was 80-84 kmph, and Jadeja’s pace was 96-98 kmph. That’s a big difference],” Akram said acknowledging Jadeja’s superior pace.
Ex-Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq also added his observation about the rotation of the ball when Jadeja released his deliveries.
“When the ball comes out of Jadeja’s hand, we can see the rotation on it. But when Nawaz was bowling it was not rotating on air. It was not spinning while coming out of his fingers,” Misbah said comparing Jadeja’s delivery with Pakistan spinner Mohammad Nawaz’s delivery.
Cricket World Cup 2023: India crush South Africa by 243 runs, extend winning streak to eight matches in ODI World Cup
India, who have secured their top spot in the standings with the win against South Africa, will now face the Netherlands in their last league game on November 12.
