Ravindra Jadeja’s ‘shell-shocked’ reaction to Virat Kohli’s wicket from the 2018 CSK-RCB match, has to be one of the top comical moments in the history of the IPL. Let’s try to beat the surrounding depressing ‘quarantine’ vibes by reliving this classic bit of spontaneous comical-gold courtesy of ‘Sir’ Jadeja.
As mentioned, the incident in question dates back to the 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League; more specifically, the 35th match of IPL-11. Chennai Super Kings were hosting Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Maharashtra Cricket Stadium in Pune. Probably not the most obvious venue for the highly-anticipated ‘Kaveri-derby’ match; then again- those were much more luxurious times for cricket, at least compared to now.
Anyways, back to the match- RCB, in somewhat of a trademark fashion; at least as far as their 2018-season was concerned- couldn’t really get that ‘flying-start’ to their innings. Brendon McCullum’s dismissal at innings’ second-over meant that captain Virat Kohli had to walk out to bat earlier than usual. On a sluggish-wicket, neither Virat, nor his partner Parthiv Patel could really get their team’s run-acceleration process back on track. The wildly-erratic pace coming off the ball hitting the pitch only complicated the situation for the RCB batsmen. Dhoni, and his pack of CSK bowlers, meanwhile, tried to make the most out of the toss advantage; as they kept hitting the correct lines and lengths on a consistent basis.
Jadeja’s incredible wicket and reaction
The ploy of bowling close to the stumps ultimately reaped dividends in the sixth-over, when Ravindra Jadeja’s left-arm drifter crashed Kohli’s stumps. The trajectory of Jadeja’s delivery started off rather linearly, targeting the line between Kohli’s fourth and fifth stumps. But thanks to the dryness of the pitch- the delivery meandered sharp and fast towards the leg-side; completely castling Kohli and his middle stump. A rather soft dismissal- at least from the looks of it; but a dive deeper unveils the underlying alchemy of Jadeja’s bowling.
But what truly made Kohli’s wicket the cult status that it had become at the time; was how Jadeja reacted to it. Surprise, disbelief, bewilderment, amusement, lack of reaction, potential fear of outperformance- there’s just about every emotion known to the mankind behind that wry expression (or no-expression?) Jadeja makes after the wicket. Kohli, too, deserves somewhat of an honorable mention for his crisp, show of disappointment. Make no mistake though- the highlight of the memes, as the on-air commentators rightly pointed out- was Jadeja.
Here Is The Video:
Speaking of memes…
RCB finished at a measly score of 127/9. Ambati Rayudu (32 off 25) and Dhoni (31* off 23) made a short work of the target and helped themselves to an impressive six-wicket win. Jadeja, courtesy of his sublime bowling figures of 4-0-18-3 and his priceless reaction, ended as the MoTM.
