Ravindra Jadeja brought up his 21st Test half-century during the third match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. This game took place at the Gabba, Brisbane. Jadeja’s performance came at a critical moment for India, as they struggled against Australia’s dominant play. The highlight of his innings was his iconic sword celebration, which thrilled fans around the world.
Australia’s Dominance at Gaba
Australia has controlled much of the third Test so far. They posted a strong total of 445 runs in their first innings. The Australian bowlers continued to perform brilliantly, with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc each taking two wickets. Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood contributed with one wicket each. Their disciplined bowling left India in trouble.
India’s Tough Start
India began the fourth day of the match at 51/4. Things didn’t get any easier for them when they lost their captain, Rohit Sharma, early in the day. Rohit’s dismissal put more pressure on India, and it seemed like Australia would continue their domination. However, KL Rahul stepped up with a much-needed knock. His innings of 84 runs provided stability for the Indian side.
Ravindra Jadeja’s Resilient Half-Century
Jadeja playing his first match in the series after missing the first two Tests, looked comfortable at the crease. He hit six boundaries on his way to a crucial half-century. His innings were a mix of patience and aggression. Jadeja played confidently, finding gaps and rotating the strike when needed.
In the 50th over of the Indian innings, Jadeja clipped a leg-stump delivery from Mitchell Starc to bring up his fifty. After reaching the milestone, he performed his trademark sword celebration, a gesture that fans love. It was a moment of joy for the Indian supporters at the Gabba.
Table of Key Performances:
| Player | Runs Scored | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (Batting) | 445 | – |
| Pat Cummins | – | 2 |
| Mitchell Starc | – | 2 |
| Nathan Lyon | – | 1 |
| Josh Hazlewood | – | 1 |
| KL Rahul (India) | 84 | – |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 57* | – |
The Importance of Jadeja’s Sword Celebration
Ravindra Jadeja’s sword celebration is one of the most recognizable in cricket. Whenever Jadeja reaches a half-century or a century, he celebrates by mimicking a warrior using a sword. This celebration reflects his confidence and fighting spirit. For fans, it’s a sign that Jadeja is back to his best. His sword celebration has become a part of his identity, and it shows his passion for the game.
India’s Fight for Safety
At the time of writing, India is at 185/6. Jadeja is still at the crease with 57* runs, alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has made 9* runs. With rain expected later in the day and tomorrow, India is inching towards safety. Their main goal right now is to avoid a follow-on, which could be crucial for their chances in this Test.
However, Australia has some concerns too. Josh Hazlewood, one of their key bowlers, has suffered a calf injury. This has left Australia with only three specialist bowlers, which could give India some breathing room.
Looking Ahead
India will aim to close the gap and avoid the follow-on. If they manage to survive the Australian bowling attack, they can head to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with the series level at 1-1. This will keep their chances alive for the remaining matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Conclusion
Ravindra Jadeja’s 21st Test half-century was a bright moment for India in an otherwise tough match. His iconic sword celebration brought smiles to the faces of Indian fans, both at the Gabba and watching from home. While Australia remains in a dominant position, Jadeja’s fighting spirit gives India a glimmer of hope. The Gaba test has seen some intense cricket, and fans will eagerly watch how the game unfolds.
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