Ravindra Jadeja. (Photo Source: Disney+Hotstar)

Team India’s star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has already made a big impact in the ongoing first ODI against Australia at the Wankhede. The southpaw took a stunning grab in the backward point region to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne, strengthening the home side’s position in the first innings of the series opener.

The first of three ODIs between India and Australia saw the tourists make a blistering start, courtesy of the returning Mitchell Marsh’s rollicking half-century. However, India fought their way back into the innings after Ravindra Jadeja got rid of the dangerous Aussie batter.

While Marsh’s timely strike handed India a much-needed lifeline in the first innings of the match, Jadeja provided the home side with another big wicket, after he snaffled an acrobatic grab to bring an end to Marnus Labuschagne’s innings. The Australian batter did not quite time his cut shot off Kuldeep Yadav, allowing a chance to Jadeja, who put in a tremendous dive to grab a stunning catch.

Earlier in the match. the Men in Blue made a terrific start to the match after dismissing explosive opener Travis Head cheaply. But his opening partner, Mitchell Marsh, took it upon himself to provide a strong start for the Aussies. The tall all-rounder was quite severe against anything full or short and kept dealing in boundaries to maintain the pressure on the Indian bowlers.

Despite losing skipper Steve Smith to his opposite number Hardik Pandya, the visitors kept their foot on the accelerator and it was only the introduction of Ravindra Jadeja in the bowling attack that arrested the slide for India on a batting-friendly surface in Mumbai. Australia, who opted for a batting heavy eleven for the first ODI, will be looking to post a total in excess of 320 runs to challenge the Indian batters.

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