WATCH: Ravindra Jadeja stuns Steve Smith with amazing delivery

Ravindra Jadeja turned the match on its head as he ran through the Australia middle-order on Sunday. The Chennai Super Kings superstar regaled his adopted home crowd with vintage spin bowling. The Chennai crowd were delighted to see the Indian stars play well during the 2023 ODI World Cup opener. 

Pat Cummins wasted no time in deciding to bat first after winning the toss. The idea was to exploit the conditions early as the pitch was conducive for slow bowling. Rohit Sharma went in with Ishan Kishan in the absence of Shubman Gill who wasn’t still keeping well. 

India and Australia are two of the biggest teams in the history of the ODI World Cup.  The Indian spinners gave an early advantage to the home team leaving the Australian batting order stunned. Ravichandran Ashwin the hometown hero got an amazing ovation as he came on to bowl. 

Ravindra Jadeja gets Steve Smith once again 

The Australians were battling the heat and the pitch during their opening game of the 2023 ODI World Cup. India’s spinners were all over the Australians like a rash as everything depended on Steve Smith. 

What a ball by Jaddu!!!!!! 🥵🥵
He is the owner of Steve Smith #IndVsAus pic.twitter.com/autIPFVVys

— Virat Kohli FC18 𝕏 (@VKisGODofCric8) October 8, 2023

Ravindra Jadeja though decided to spoil the party for the visitors as he got Steve Smith out again. The 34-year-old bowled an amazing ball that spun sharply and hit the top of Smith’s off-stump. The Australian vice-captain was left shaking his head in disbelief as he was out for 46.

Mitchell Marsh began his 2023 ODI World Cup in the worst possible fashion when he was out for a duck. Kohli took an amazing catch to dismiss the Australian opener. David Warner was out next for 41 when he was out caught and bowled. Kuldeep Yadav got the key wicket just when Warner was looking good for a big score.

After the fall of Steve Smith, Australia lost two more wickets both falling to Jadeja. Marnus Labuschagne was out-caught behind for 29 when he went looking for a big sweep shot. The same over Alex Carey was out for a duck when he was trapped in front of the wicket. Jadeja had given India a huge fillip in just three overs to leave Australia struggling at 119/5 in the 30^th over.