Fans Heap Praise On Jadeja For Keeping Eliminated India's World Cup Hopes Alive
11th July 2019
When he reached his half-century, the 11th of his career, he twirled his bat like a sword -- his trademark celebration
- Fans heaped praise Thursday on Ravindra Jadeja after the "bits and pieces" cricketer emerged as the unlikely hero of a losing cause, silencing critics who had questioned his place in the star-packed Indian team
- The all-rounder top-scored with 77 to take India tantalisingly close to a win in their World Cup semi-final against New Zealand on Wednesday as they chased a modest 240
- Although India fell 18 runs short, Jadeja earned the respect of fans for his lion-hearted effort in the high-stakes clash
NEW DELHI, India- Fans heaped praise Thursday on Ravindra Jadeja after the "bits and
pieces" cricketer emerged as the unlikely hero of a losing cause,
silencing critics who had questioned his place in the star-packed Indian team.
The all-rounder
top-scored with 77 to take India tantalisingly close to a win in their World
Cup semi-final against New Zealand on Wednesday as they chased a modest 240.
Although India fell
18 runs short, Jadeja earned the respect of fans for his lion-hearted effort in
the high-stakes clash.
"Jadeja showed
his worth," tweeted one user while another said his innings would be
"remembered for a long time to come" for its sheer grit and tenacity.
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Jadeja, 30, thanked
fans for their support, promising to continue giving his best "till my
last breath".
"Sports has
taught me to keep on rising after every fall & never to give up," he
tweeted.
Jadeja seemed all
fired up when he walked out to bat Wednesday after being written off as a
"bits and pieces" player by Sanjay Manjrekar, a commentator and
former India batsman.
When he reached his
half-century, the 11th of his career, Jadeja twirled his bat like a sword --
his trademark celebration -- and appeared to gesture towards the media box
where Manjrekar is usually seated.
Jadeja also
impressed with his bowling, giving away just 34 runs while taking one wicket
from 10 overs.
"@sanjaymanjrekar
got Jadeja's juices flowing! I am certain it had a positive effect on his game.
Sometimes a kick on one's ego can have a positive impact," tweeted India's
Olympic shooting medallist Abhinav Bindra.
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After being ignored
for India's initial matches, Jadeja showed his worth as a substitute in the
match against England, scooping a brilliant diving catch to dismiss Jason Roy.
Manjrekar was forced
to eat his words soon after play ended Wednesday.
"By bits 'n'
pieces of sheer brilliance, he's ripped me apart on all fronts," Manjrekar
conceded.
"This is the
Jadeja we haven't seen before. Today he was brilliant."