On This Day: Jadeja’s 10-Wicket Masterclass Crushed Australia in Delhi Test 2023
On this day in 2023, India delivered one of their most emphatic home performances in recent Test history, defeating Australia in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. The win gave India a commanding 2-0 lead in the series and once again underlined their dominance in spin-friendly conditions.
The match will forever be remembered for the dramatic collapse engineered by India’s spin twins, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. Chasing a modest target after a tightly contested first innings battle, Australia imploded spectacularly in their second innings. From a relatively stable position, they lost eight wickets for just 28 runs, eventually being bowled out for 113. It was a collapse that stunned even seasoned observers of subcontinental cricket.
Jadeja was virtually unplayable. Exploiting sharp turn and inconsistent bounce, he sliced through Australia’s middle order to record career-best innings figures of 7 for 42. He finished with match figures of 10 for 110, a performance that firmly established him as the defining force of the Test. Ashwin complemented him brilliantly, maintaining relentless pressure and forcing errors from batters unsure whether to defend or attack.
Interestingly, India’s third spinner, Axar Patel, went wicketless in the match. However, his contribution with the bat proved decisive. In the first innings, when India were in danger of conceding a substantial lead, Axar produced a composed 74, the highest score of the innings. His knock ensured India matched Australia’s total, preventing the visitors from gaining psychological momentum.
The Test also carried emotional significance for Cheteshwar Pujara, who was playing his 100th Test match. Known for his resilience and calm temperament, Pujara fittingly struck the winning boundary shortly after lunch on day three, guiding India to a six-wicket victory. It was a symbolic moment, a stalwart completing a milestone game in front of a jubilant home crowd.
The victory further extended India’s formidable record at home in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Over the years, India’s ability to maximise spin conditions has made them nearly invincible on home soil, and this match was a textbook example of that strength. Australia, despite entering the series as the world’s top-ranked Test side, found themselves repeatedly undone by India’s spin mastery and disciplined lower-order batting.
Beyond the scorecard, this Test symbolised the depth and balance of India’s side. Even when one spinner went wicketless, he delivered crucial runs. Even when the target was modest, the bowlers ensured no complacency crept in. It was clinical, ruthless, and efficient.
Looking back, this Delhi Test stands as a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in Test cricket and how devastating high-quality spin bowling can be when executed with precision. On this day, India didn’t just win a Test; they showcased a masterclass in home dominance.
The match will forever be remembered for the dramatic collapse engineered by India’s spin twins, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. Chasing a modest target after a tightly contested first innings battle, Australia imploded spectacularly in their second innings. From a relatively stable position, they lost eight wickets for just 28 runs, eventually being bowled out for 113. It was a collapse that stunned even seasoned observers of subcontinental cricket.
Jadeja was virtually unplayable. Exploiting sharp turn and inconsistent bounce, he sliced through Australia’s middle order to record career-best innings figures of 7 for 42. He finished with match figures of 10 for 110, a performance that firmly established him as the defining force of the Test. Ashwin complemented him brilliantly, maintaining relentless pressure and forcing errors from batters unsure whether to defend or attack.
Interestingly, India’s third spinner, Axar Patel, went wicketless in the match. However, his contribution with the bat proved decisive. In the first innings, when India were in danger of conceding a substantial lead, Axar produced a composed 74, the highest score of the innings. His knock ensured India matched Australia’s total, preventing the visitors from gaining psychological momentum.
The Test also carried emotional significance for Cheteshwar Pujara, who was playing his 100th Test match. Known for his resilience and calm temperament, Pujara fittingly struck the winning boundary shortly after lunch on day three, guiding India to a six-wicket victory. It was a symbolic moment, a stalwart completing a milestone game in front of a jubilant home crowd.
The victory further extended India’s formidable record at home in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Over the years, India’s ability to maximise spin conditions has made them nearly invincible on home soil, and this match was a textbook example of that strength. Australia, despite entering the series as the world’s top-ranked Test side, found themselves repeatedly undone by India’s spin mastery and disciplined lower-order batting.
Beyond the scorecard, this Test symbolised the depth and balance of India’s side. Even when one spinner went wicketless, he delivered crucial runs. Even when the target was modest, the bowlers ensured no complacency crept in. It was clinical, ruthless, and efficient.
Looking back, this Delhi Test stands as a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in Test cricket and how devastating high-quality spin bowling can be when executed with precision. On this day, India didn’t just win a Test; they showcased a masterclass in home dominance.
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