ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Watch - Ravindra Jadeja bamboozles Steve Smith

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja castled Steve Smith for 46.

Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first against India in their ICC Cricket World Cup opening game at Chepauk in Chennai. Australian batters have struggled to score freely against the Indian bowling line-up on a tricky dry Chepauk wicket. Indian pacers started well as Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Mitchell Marsh on a 6-ball duck in his second over and from there, spinners have taken control over Aussies in the innings. 

Australia’s number 3 Steve Smith was trying his best to take Australia out of the crisis and built a big strong partnership. Batting with full concentration and determination, Smith was approaching his fifty in the game. Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja had a different plan and castled Steve Smith just 4 runs before his 31st ODI fifty. Steve Smith added 69 runs along with opener David Warner and was looking set for another big stand with Marnus Labuschagne. 

Smith's lapse in concentration?

Steve Smith had a lapse in concentration in the 28th over when Ravindra Jadeja came in to bowl. Smith, going strong in his innings completely missed the line of Jadeja’s delivery and was clean bowled. Smith’s bat was far from the line of the ball had big turn and came deviating after pitching up around off stump line on good length. Smith was out after scoring 46 runs in 71 balls with 5 fours in his innings. 

Steve Smith opened the floodgate for India as Jadeja picked two more wickets in his next over dismissing Marnus Labuschagne (27) and wicket-keeper Alex Carey on a second-ball duck. Jadeja got three wickets to put Australia under fire in the innings. Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Mitchell Marsh (0) and Kuldeep Yadav got David Warner caught and bowled on 41 runs in 52 balls. Australians will be looking to finish their innings close to 250 at Chepauk. 

Team India are playing with three spin bowlers in the game as Ravichandran Ashwin also made his comeback in the World Cup playing XI along with Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja. Shubman Gill wasn't available for selection and he was replaced by Ishan Kishan in the playing XI. Shubman Gill tested positive for Dengue and may also miss the second game. Ishan Kishan will be opening the innings for India along with skipper Rohit Sharma.