Ravindra Jadeja fought a lonely but valorous battle as the Indian team went down fighting against New Zealand on Wednesday in the semifinals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
Jadeja, was retained by the management for India’s encounter with New Zealand on Tuesday at Old Trafford in Manchester. Bowling at an economy of 3.40 with one crucial wicket of Kiwi opening batsman Nicholls, Jadeja added punch to the Indian bowling lineup. The match was called off on Tuesday due to rains, with New Zealand batting in the 47th over and resumed on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Indian bowlers restricted New Zealand to 239 with a tight bowling display. While the Indian top order crumbled in less than four overs with just five runs on the board, Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya too soon departed with the score reading 92 for six.
When India had all but lost hope, Ravindra Jadeja, who walked in at number eight offered glimpses of his brilliance with the bat. He, with his timing and power-hitting, elevated the match to a thriller from what seemed like a point of no-return. He was given company at the crease by MS Dhoni who took a backseat as Jadeja took calculated risks. Jadeja’s innings gave Indian fans a glimmer of a possible comeback after they witnessed their top order fall like a pack of cards. His sixes came as a relief in the middle of a parched innings. Jadeja capped off a brilliant day in the field with a well-deserved 50 in the 42nd over.
As Boult came in to bowl in the 48th over, Jadeja in an effort to increase the scoring rate, went for a slog. However, he couldn't get the distance in his shot and Kiwi skipper Williamson held on to the skier. It marked the end of a fantastic innings by Jadeja, one which gave India hope after the top order had failed miserably.
Despite his stupendous knock, the lack of support from the rest of the batsmen proved to be the team's undoing. Jadeja's effort on Wednesday was seen as a fitting reply to Sanjay Manjrekar, who had earlier called him a 'bits and pieces' cricketer.
Congratulations to @BLACKCAPS on making it to the finals. Jadeja played an outstanding innings and got India in the game along with MS Dhoni, yet it was a case of so near yet so far #IndvNZ
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 10, 2019
A run out by a direct hit. One superb catch. Economical ten overs. And the best knock of his ODI career. It’s not fair to end up on the losing side...well played, Jadeja. #CWC19 #IndvNZ
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 10, 2019
Dearest @imjadeja @msdhoni God bless you. You are so awesome it hurts.
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) July 10, 2019
India did not bat well enough to reach the final. A resilient effort by Jadeja & Dhoni. They almost brought India back into the game.
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) July 10, 2019
So a big upset, New Zealand goes through to final, India knocked out. #INDvsNZ #CWC19 #semifinal
Captain @imVkohli all praise for @imjadeja post his semi-final show #TeamIndia #CWC19 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/egJJkzwZ0I
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 10, 2019
What a day of fight back from Dhoni Jadeja and Dutee... Proud of u guyzzzz #INDvsNZ
— Megha Jain (@i_meghajain) July 10, 2019
pic.twitter.com/cuTsV4Fe4U pic.twitter.com/u575x8IlL3
His team might have fallen to defeat, but how good was Ravindra Jadeja today?
— ICC (@ICC) July 10, 2019
His 77 off 59 balls was the second highest score by a No. 8 in World Cup history, and almost helped India pull off an incredible comeback win #CWC19 | #TeamIndia | #INDvNZ https://t.co/jf15TJNONF
Even Manjrekar acknowledged that Jadeja had proved him wrong.
"By bits 'n' pieces of sheer brilliance, he's ripped me apart on all fronts."@sanjaymanjrekar has something to say to @imjadeja after the all-rounder's fantastic performance against New Zealand.#INDvNZ | #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/i96h5bJWpE
— ICC (@ICC) July 10, 2019