Watch: Mitchell Starc’s bail-swap trick brings Ravindra Jadeja's wicket for Aussies

The bail-swapping tactic in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 has been the game-changing technique used by the fielding team and shockingly it has worked as well. On day 3 of the Boxing Day Test, Mitchell Starc used the same technique where he switched the bails when Ravindra Jadeja was batting with Reddy on the other end. This unconventional trickled to the crucial dismissal of Ravindra Jadeja, putting the side in a solid position.

Bail-swapping has recently gained attention as an unorthodox move or a superstition. Earlier in the series, Mohammad Siraj's similar trick worked in India’s favour, and has ever since got some attention around this subtle psychological tactic. Meanwhile, Starc also capitalized on this growing trend during India's first innings.

Following the 64th over, Starc quietly swapped the bails on the stumps while players were changing ends. Nathan Lyon, who came to bowl next gave his side a breakthrough by dismissing Jadeja. The dismissal was a slider that came in sharply, trapping Jadeja on the back leg. The Indian all-rounder, batting on 17 was looking to form a solid partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy but misjudged the length. The ball, skidding on quicker than expected, struck Jadeja plumb in front of the stumps.

Watch the video below:

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Jadeja reviewed the decision, but the ball-tracking confirmed the umpire’s call, with the delivery clipping the top of the middle and off stump, ending the 30-run partnership.

India avoid follow-on

After Jadeja's dismissal, Nitish Kumar and Washington Sundar took the responsibility to take control. Reddy, who has been one of India’s brilliant performers in the series, scored his maiden Test fifty. On the other hand, Sundar continues to play a solid support. At the time of writing the score stands at 311/7 after 94 overs with Reddy batting on 77 and Sundar on 35.