A hug from Jadeja that made Smith unhappy

An incident involving Ravindra Jadeja and Marnus Labuschagne during the first semi-final between India and Australia made the Aussie captain visibly upset. Steve Smith who was also batting with Labuschagne at the time, spoke to the on-field officials about the incident.

What happened?

On the second ball of the 21^st over, Jadeja was seen holding Labuschagne which did not allow the Aussie batter to run for a single. Smith who after punching the ball towards Labuschagne was expecting a quick single was not happy with the act. Jadeja also stuck his right foot out towards the ball that eventually went to the mid-wicket. Smith let his known to the on-field officials Chris Gaffaney and Richard Illingworth after the incident.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain at the commentary box, said, “There was a hug right there at the end, Smith not happy with Jadeja stopping Labuschagne.” However, just after an over later, Jadeja dismissed Marnus Labuschagne for 29. This was the fourth occasion when that Jadeja dismissed Labuschagne in ODIs. Labuschagne faced 180 balls against Jadeja, scored 120 runs and lost his wicket four times to the Indian spinner.

Shami, the gamechanger

Earlier in the match, Australia captain Steve Smith had opted to bat first after winning the toss. Australia, playing their first match of the tournament in Dubai made two changes in their playing XI and brought in Tanveer Sangha and Cooper Connolly. India kept the same team from their previous match against New Zealand.

Mohammed Shami once again proved to be the game-changer for India who gave the first breakthrough by dismissing Connolly for a duck and then returned to send the highest run-scorer for Australia Smith back for 73. Shami ended with 3 for 48. Travis Head looked good during his small stay (39) and Alex Carey scored 61 to take Australia’s innings to 264 in 49.3 overs.

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