India charged to a total of 180/7 at St George’s Park in the second T20I against South Africa before rain intervened with just three balls left in the innings.
While Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh’s half-centuries formed the core of the innings, Ravindra Jadeja’s quick 19 off 14 balls added crucial impetus, including a boundary and a maximum. However, it was Gerald Coetzee who cleverly outwitted Jadeja in the final over, ending his brief but impactful stint.
In his last six-ball over, the right-arm fast bowler initiated with a full delivery wide of off-stump. Jadeja, seemingly reading Coetzee’s intentions, shifted across the crease and managed a quick double by lofting the ball towards the covers.
Persisting with a similar tactic on the next delivery, Coetzee altered his strategy, sending a straighter delivery. Jadeja attempted a paddle-sweep but misjudged the pace, getting struck on the pads right in front of the stumps.
— Virat Sharma (@ViratSharm39743) December 12, 2023
Unexpectedly, instead of appealing, Coetzee burst into laughter, yet the umpire raised his finger to declare Jadeja out. As Jadeja made his way off the field, Coetzee gestured towards his head with his index finger, symbolizing the triumph of strategy over sheer strength, igniting a wave of reactions on social media.
