NEW DELHI: Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble commended Ravindra Jadeja for his remarkable delivery that dismissed Steve Smith in the recent World Cup match on Sunday. Kumble praised Jadeja's skillful manipulation of angles, which played a pivotal role in this impressive performance.
Jadeja's superb spell, wherein he claimed three crucial wickets for just 28 runs, stood out as a highlight during India's victorious World Cup campaign opener in Chennai against Australia. Notably, he also secured the prized wicket of Steve Smith, achieving the best bowling figures by an Indian spinner against Australia in a World Cup match.
The delivery executed by Jadeja initially appeared to land in the middle but displayed exceptional turn, deceiving Smith's bat and ultimately uprooting the off stump.
Kumble emphasised the importance of batters displaying intent when facing Jadeja, acknowledging the spinner's skill and effectiveness on the cricket field.
"If you do not show any intent against Jadeja, it becomes very tough for a batter. Six out of six times, he will land the ball on that point. On a surface like this, all he did was change the angles. He went close to the stumps, bowled to the right-hander and then went round, slightly wide, threw that angle in, that is what got Smith out. He was thinking that it would come straight but because of the angle, it beat his outside edge. Brilliant bowling," Kumble said in a video by ESPNCricinfo.
India registered a six-wicket win against Australia in their opening match of the World Cup due to tight bowling and efforts of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.
India will now square off against Afghanistan on October 11 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
(With ANI inputs)
