If he doesn't know, how will the batter know? – Ravi Shastri on Ravindra Jadeja’s magical ball to Steve Smith

As India gear up for their second contest against Afghanistan, it is expected that the Men in Blue will stay unchanged from the one that conquered Australia in Chennai. Before KL Rahul and Virat Kohli became the talk of the town, it was Ravindra Jadeja who spun heads with an incredible spell that produced numbers of 10-2-28-3.

In that very special display, he got the better of Steve Smith with an absolute ripper that left the entire world bamboozled. The ball landed in the line of the middle-stump and barely showed any movement until late. However, in its dying embers it snaked past Smith’s blade to kiss the top of off stump, exploding the Indian fans into a frenzy.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri explained why that delivery was unplayable. Shastri also pointed out that Jadeja himself was at his wits end about how the ball pitched and foxed Smith, and the Aussie star had no chance of doing anything about it. 

Talking to Star Sports in an interview, Shastri said, “He (Jadeja) has dismissed him (Smith) 10 to 12 times. He (Smith) is his bunny. It is not that easy to play such a delivery because of the speed at which he bowls. As a batter, you don't know which ball is going to turn and which ball will go straight. He (Jadeja) himself said in the interview that he doesn't know which ball will turn and which will go straight. If he doesn't know, how will the batter know? So he plays inside the line at times and outside the line on other occasions.”

Talking at the post-match interview, Jadeja also reflected on the magical delivery and said, “My plan was to bowl on the stump and luckily the ball to Smith turned more. I thought this was a typical Test match wicket. We should not do any experiment and bowl stump-to-stump.”

Jadeja will be hoping to continue his fine run of form against Afghanistan too as India will be eyeing their second win in two matches that will give them a headstart in the World Cup 2023.