Last updated:October 26, 2024, 11:57 AM IST

A strong throw from Washington Sundar resulted in Jadeja almost effortlessly (and somewhat unexpectedly too) deflecting his throw towards the stumps and dismissing O’Rourke.

Jadeja scored an incredible run-out, leading to comparisons with MS Dhoni (X)

Ravindra Jadeja turned back the clock for the India faithful as the spinner pulled off a ‘Thala’-esque no-look run to dismiss William O’Rourke and bundle NZ out for 255 in Pune on Saturday.

Glenn Phillips put up a fighting unbeaten stand of 48* peppered with a few sixes to help NZ pass the 350 run lead.

But wickets continued to fall at the other end, and in the end New Zealand were bowled out for 255 runs, setting India a target of 359 runs to win.

Needing a strong start to the day, India relied on Ravindra Jadeja to turn the tide with his spin, and that’s exactly what happened.

The veteran spinner wreaked havoc on the NZ lower order, scalping three wickets, as India bowled out the visitors in little more than an hour into the first session of Day 3.

His most impressive moment of all came in the last ball of NZ’s innings, when a call for a double caused trouble for the visitors.

Glenn Phillips hit one on the offside for what appeared to be a single, but changed his mind in the last minute, as he pushed for a second run.

Leg-spinner Will O’Rourke was lacking in his effort on the run, and a strong throw from Washington Sundar resulted in Jadeja almost effortlessly (and somewhat unexpectedly too) deflecting his throw towards the stumps, dismissing O’Rourke.

The occasion had both fans across the internet drawing comparisons with a Captain Cool, MS Dhoni, as many pointed out the similarities between their run-outs.

Having rallied and bundled out the Kiwis, it was imperative for India to come out with guns blazing to send a message.

That was all that happened, as the likes of Yashashvi Jasiwal and Shubman Gill both pushed the pace and put 81 runs on the board in just 12 overs, after losing Rohit Sharma early.

With the change in momentum, the pendulum has swung again, favoring India now, as the home team looks to make a historic comeback and tie up the series.