WTC Final 2023: Ravindra Jadeja makes Steve Smith his bunny again, only behind Broad in elite list

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WTC Final 2023: Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Steve Smith for the eight time in his Test career on Day 3 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final 2023 at The Oval in London on Friday.

On the first ball of the 31st over, Smith pre meditatively danced down the track and tried a wide of off delivery towards the mid-on region. However, the ball ballooned up in the air after a leading edge as Shardul Thakur ran towards his right from point to complete the catch.

The breakthrough gave India a reprieve from a 62-run stand between Smith (34 off 47) and Marnus Labuschagne. Notably, Smith slammed a hundred in the first innings.

In the process, Jadeja also became only the third bowler to dismiss the third ranked Test batter for 8 or more times in Test cricket.

Ravichandran Ashwin and England veteran James Anderson have also dismissed Smith eight times each in Test cricket. Stuart Broad of England has dismissed Smith nine times - most by any bowler.

Bowlers to dismiss Steve Smith most times in Test cricket

Stuart Broad - 9

James Anderson - 8

Ravichandran Ashwin - 9

Ravindra Jadeja - 8

Earlier in the day, Australia bundled out India for 296 to take a 173-run first innings lead. Ajinkya Rahane scored 89 and Shardul Thakur smashed his third consecutive fifty at The Oval. At the time Smith went back to the pavilion, Australia were leading by 259 runs with seven wickets in hands.