Ravindra Jadeja is acknowledged as the best fielder in the world and his talent was out in full flow during the first day of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Satruday. In the over bowled by Ravichandran Ashwin, Matthew Wade was looking in great touch and had scored a couple of boundaries to revive Australia after the early dismissal of Joe Burns for 0 by Jasprit Bumrah. However, Ravindra Jadeja tilted the balance towards India in a grand exhibition of fielding.

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Ravichandran Ashwin bowled a flighted delivery outside off, Matthew Wade jumped down the track and looked to hoick it over deep midwicket. However, he did not get to the pitch of the ball and ended up getting a big top-edge to wide mid on. Ravindra Jadeja called for the catch and clearly said “mine.” However, Shubman Gill did not notice and he ended up colliding with Ravindra Jadeja. Yet, Jadeja held on to the catch and afterwards, he told the youngster about his mistake.

Big wicket dents Australia

The wicket of Matthew Wade changed the complexion of the first session as Ravichandran Ashwin got the big wicket of Steve Smith for 0. It was the first time since 2016 that Steve Smith had fallen for 0 in a Test in Australia. Bowling a flighted offbreak that turned in, Steve Smith looked to work the ball to the leg side and got it fine. However, Cheteshwar Pujara at leg slip managed to take a great catch.

Smith has failed in the two innings that he has batted in this series so far, managing scores of 1,1* and 0. Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head steadied Australia with a solid partnership and ensured there were no hiccups as they batted confidently in the post-lunch session. However, Travis Head was taken by Jasprit Bumrah for 38 and Mohammed Siraj struck on his debut with a big wicket of Marnus Labuschagne for 48.

Australia are currently leading the four-Test series 1-0.