For Jadeja, the semi was his best chance to prove his mettle before his critics

For Jadeja, the semi was his best chance to prove his mettle before his critics

For Jadeja, the semi was his best chance to prove his mettle before his critics

Overcast conditions prevailed at Old Trafford, and on the faces of thousands of Indian fans who were watching India fall like a house of cards against New Zealand in the World Cup semifinal on Wednesday. However, it was still too early to call it a New Zealand's game with M.S Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja on crease.

Coming to bat in at No 8 after Dhoni, Sir Jadeja—as he is fondly known in India—gave India a glimmer of hope. While the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed to read the slow pitch correctly, it looked like only Jadeja got his assessment right.

With four boundaries and an equal number of sixes, Jadeja was building the Indian innings, brick by brick, with the help of his Chennai Super Kings team captain Dhoni who was eagerly rotating strikes. 

Before the duo took charge, the World Cup dream of crores of Indians were almost crushed after India's top order—one of the most formidable in the world currently—got out cheaply scoring a run each. With Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya following the opening trio in quick succession, it almost signalled the end of the road for India. But India refused to accept the defeat with Jadeja and Dhoni on crease. 

But soon, Trent Boult did the unthinkable, delivering the much-needed breakthrough. Jadeja fell for 77 from 59 balls, in a brilliant catch by Black Caps' skipper Kane Williamson off a Boult delivery. At 130.50, he was the lone Indian batsman to have a strike rate above 100. Soon, India's world cup aspirations came to a grinding halt. 

Earlier in the day, Jadeja had made two crucial contributions that restricted the New Zealand to 239. His brilliant direct throw from the out field got rid of Ross Taylor (74), the highest scorer for New Zealand. In the next ball, Latham got out after being caught by Jadeja off a Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivery. 

On Tuesday—the first day of the match which had to be extended to the reserve day following rain interruptions—Jadeja had recorded one of the best bowling figures in the current World Cup. Giving away just 34 runs in 10 overs and scalping the crucial wicket of New Zealand opener Nicholls, Jadeja proved that he is an all-rounder that India could bank upon during all seasons. 

However, for Jadeja it was his chance of proving his mettle. With his '3D' performance, the Saurashtra player managed to give a befitting reply to commentator Sanjay Manjrekar on the latter's assessment of Jadeja as a "bits and pieces" player. "I am not a big fan of bits and pieces players which Jadeja is at this point of his career in 50-over cricket. In Test matches, he is a pure bowler. But in 50-over cricket, I would rather have a batsman and a spinner," Manjrekar had earlier said, inviting wrath from various quarters, including former English captain Michael Vaughan. 

Jadeja had retorted to Manjrekar, terming his comments as "verbal diarrhoea". "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 diarrhoea (sic)," Jadeja tweeted tagging the commentator. 

Unsurprisingly, Manjrekar had a change of mind after Jadeja's on-field theatrics on Wednesday. In a post-match session, Manjrekar said on camera, "By bits and pieces of sheer brilliance, he's ripped me apart on all fronts." He also took to Twitter to appreciate Jadeja for his game. "Well played Jadeja!" tweeted Manjrekar with a wink sign. 

Well, India might have lost the match, but Sir Jadeja has managed to win a critic's heart. 

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