World Cup 2019: Ravindra Jadeja sends Jason Roy packing by taking a blinder in outfield

Luck smiled big time on England, as they won the toss and chose to bat in their important match against India at the Edgbaston ground in Birmingham, as the ICC World Cup’s league stage nears its end and things are getting tighter for teams looking to qualify for the semis. England got the first feel of the pitch and that ridiculously short boundary on one side.

Jason Roy was drafted back into the team and his opening partner Jonny Bairstow attacked the Indian bowlers, except pacers – Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. Both openers took to the Indian spinners and smashed them to all parts of the ground and Roy chose Hardik Pandya for some special treatment as well. Incidentally, in an attempt to catch a ball, KL Rahul hurt his back and Ravindra Jadeja came in as a substitute and he played a huge role in getting India their first wicket.

Super Sub Jadeja takes a blinder

Both the spinners, Kuldeep and Chahal were taken to the cleaners as the 12 overs after the first powerplay went for 113 runs with Roy and Bairstow going after the bowling. However, in an attempt to go after the left-arm chinaman Kuldeep, Jason Roy chanced his arm a little too much. In the 23^rd over’s first ball, Roy danced down the track to Kuldeep’s flighted one and hit the ball towards long-on boundary.

Though the ball didn’t get much air, it was good to cross the ropes, but Jadeja, fielding at long on, came running in and dived full length forward going at full speed and managed to get his fingers underneath the ball and took the catch just inches from the ground. Roy could only curse his luck as the ball went to the best Indian fielder on the ground and he walked back to the pavilion for 66 runs off 57 deliveries.

Here is the video of the catch:

The Indian team decided to bring in Rishabh Pant to bolster their batting and a win here against the hosts will ensure them a place in the semis given they have 11 points from six games and have two more matches after this match in hand, against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, for England, they need to win this match if they wish to stay in the race for a final four finish.