Before India’s first World Cup 2023 clash against Australia, veteran Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik predicted that India’s premium spinner Ravindra Jadeja would have a terrific outing with the ball against Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Karthik’s prediction came true as Jadeja produced exceptional bowling efforts against the Kangaroos, taking three crucial wickets.

“This pitch will turn. Jadeja to have a super day today. #CricketWorldCup #INDvsAUS,” Karthik tweeted.

This pitch will turn

Jadeja to have a super day today 😊👍😉#CricketWorldCup #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/xBV4QlelOg

— DK (@DineshKarthik) October 8, 2023

Earlier, Australia won the toss and opted to bat first where they suffered an early blow in the form of  Mitchell Marsh, who was dismissed for a duck by Jasprit Bumrah. Smith and Warner then tried to revive Australia’s innings by putting together 69 runs. But soon Australian opener gave a return catch to India’s left-arm Chinaman, Kuldeep Yadav.

India’s left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja was in the spotlight as he first cleaned up Steve Smith, who had been well set on 46. He then followed it up by taking the wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey on a successive interval. The Australian batting order perished against Jadeja after he took two wickets in one over.

“I play for CSK so I know the conditions here, when I saw the pitch I thought I should get 2-3 wickets, luckily I got 3 wickets and am very happy. I was looking to bowl into the stumps and there was turn, you never know which one is going straight and which one is turning, the odd ball was turning and I was just mixing the pace. Chennai crowd always come in good numbers and it is good to see a full house. Just go out there and play simple cricket, not try anything fancy and keep it simple”, Ravindra Jadeja said.

Previously, Jasprit Bumrah provided India its first breakthrough in the second over of the game when he dismissed Mitchell Marsh with Virat Kohli taking an unbelievable catch. On the back of this catch, the former India skipper also surpassed Anil Kumble’s record of 14 catches and became the most successful fielder from India. Virat has taken 15 catches in 27 ODI World Cup games.