The Wankhede Stadium witnessed a magical moment on Day 1 of the third Test between India and New Zealand, as Ravindra Jadeja delivered a game-changing over, taking two crucial wickets back-to-back, right after the crowd erupted with chants of “Vande Mataram.”
In a single over, Jadeja dismissed both the well-set Will Young and the new batter Tom Blundell, pushing New Zealand into a tight spot at 159/5. The breakthrough began with Will Young, who had been solid in his 71-run innings. Jadeja’s delivery drifted into middle stump before spinning away sharply, taking the edge of Young’s bat and looping towards slip. Rohit Sharma, positioned perfectly, caught it safely, ending Young’s resistance. Jadeja celebrated with arms aloft as the crowd roared in approval.
Barely had the cheers settled when Jadeja struck again with a dream delivery to Blundell. This time, the ball drifted in toward leg-stump and spun sharply to hit the off-stump, beating Blundell’s defensive attempt. The delivery left Blundell in disbelief and the Indian fielders jubilant, while a puff of dust rose dramatically from the pitch.