IND vs AUS: Ravindra Jadeja rattles Australia with sumptuous double wicket maiden

The opening day of the Test series opener between India and Australia has seen an intriguing contest between bat and ball on a difficult batting surface in Nagpur. Despite losing two quick wickets the visitors were in a decent position before Ravindra Jadeja weaved his magic by dismissing the well-set Marnus Labuschagne and Matt Renshaw on consecutive deliveries.

Marnus Labuschagne was looking good value at the crease and was set for his maiden half-century in India in his first appearance, but his innings came to an abrupt halt after he was beaten all ends up by a ripper from Ravindra Jadeja. The ball gripped and turned to miss Labuschagne's bat, who was a couple of steps down the pitch, allowing KS Bharat the opportunity to stump the batter. It was the Indian wicketkeeper's first contribution from behind the wickets in his debut game.

Matt Renshaw, who was the next batter in, did not trouble the scorers as he was dismissed for a golden duck on the very next delivery of the over. The southpaw missed his flick to be struck in front of the wicket and burned a review in an attempt to overturn the on-field call by the umpire. Jadeja's double-wicket maiden wrestled back the momentum for the home side.

Australia reeling after Jadeja's scintillating bowling spell

Earlier in the day, Australia lost Usman Khawaja and David Warner in the first three overs, handing the home side an early advantage. However, Australia's two best batters, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, steadied the ship with a solid partnership for the third wicket. While Smith adopted a more conservative approach, Labuschagne looked more assured at the crease.

Following Labuschagne's departure, Smith took the attack to the Indian bowlers, dispatching Axar Patel for three boundaries in an over. But Ravindra Jadeja drew curtains on Smith's innings after cleaning up the Aussie batter with a brilliant piece of bowling.

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