Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja indeed remains New Zealand’s doom, to say the least. Be it the warm-up games or the World Cup encounter, the 30-year-old somehow manages to haunt an already fiery Kiwis’ bowling attack.
As India’s top order collapsed, which sent Twitter into a frenzy, the onus came on the elderly shoulders of MS Dhoni and his ‘bits and pieces’ partner, Ravindra Jadeja. And despite coming after the former captain, the Jamnagar-born allrounder scored a quick half-century that too on a pitch the greatest batsmen struggled to get a grip.
As he celebrated his half-century with his usual ‘sword swing’ celebration, there was something vague at the end. Jadeja and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar have been the talk of the town of late. It all started with the latter branding the all-rounder a ‘bits and pieces’ player and said he isn’t really a big fan of his. Reacting to it, the left-hander took to Twitter and wrote, “Still I have played twice the number of matches you have played and I’m still playing. Learn to respect ppl who have achieved. I have heard enough of your verbal diarrhea.”
The #SirJadeja style of celebrating a half century #indiavsNewzealand#Jadeja#JadejaVsManjrekar
AAP ka Dude (@AAPkaDude), July 10, 2019
Since then, the duo has never been on the same page. And on Wednesday, when Jadeja completed his half-century, he swung his bat in the air in celebration and concluded by pointing towards the commentary box as if he is asking ‘What’?
Just in, he became the first Indian batting at number 8 to score a World Cup fifty.
Meanwhile, Twitter was quick to pat his back and this is how they are reacting:
god is a man and that is ravindra jadeja
dee (@desinllhz), July 10, 2019
The level of credit that people, everywhere, are giving Dhoni for Jadeja putting on an absolute masterclass, is astonishing
Ben Jones (@benjonescricket), July 10, 2019
Meanwhile everyone looking for Manjrekar after Jadeja’s innings today #INDvsNZ
Moneyy_ish (@Moneyyy_ish), July 10, 2019
I will never forget this innings. I will never forget Jadeja’s innings. I will tell all this to my kids tooo. ❤️
Ⓡ • (@Sruthi_tweetx), July 10, 2019
Whatever the outcome , Dhoni today has consolidated his “legendary ness “. And Jadeja will be one .
Raveena Tandon (@TandonRaveena), July 10, 2019
Whatever happens Jadeja man, what a hero ❤️
rulao mat indiaa (@GhantaGuy), July 10, 2019
Sir Jadeja!!!!!! U beauty! U beautyyyyyy
I ll not jinx it! I ll not jinx it!!
In ur FACE, Sanjay Manjrekar! “Bits n pieces” bahahaha #INDvsNZ
Baby Driver (@MaheshShenoy12), July 10, 2019
Credit for #Jadeja‘s blistering knock should go to #Manjrekar instead of #Dhoni… #JadejaVsManjrekar #CWCUP2019 #SemiFinal1
Zaki Haider (@mzakihaider), July 10, 2019
If India win, I would love to see Manjrekar handing out the MOM to Jadeja. More satisfying sight than the win itself.
Nishant Kaushik (@nofreecopies), July 10, 2019
What an inning at crucial time!!
Ishan Shah (@ishan_cfc), July 10, 2019
Manjrekar on your face!#Jadeja#IndVsNewZealand #NZvsIND #CWC19
Meanwhile, the all-rounder scored an alomst match winning knock of 77 off just 59 deliveries, and guess who had all the wise words for him.
“By bits ‘n’ pieces of sheer brilliance, he’s ripped me apart on all fronts.”@sanjaymanjrekar has something to say to @imjadeja after the all-rounder’s fantastic performance against New Zealand.#INDvNZ | #CWC19
ICC (@ICC), July 10, 2019
Well played Jadeja!
Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar), July 10, 2019
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Dibyangshu Sarkar