After KL Rahul’s impressive innings led India to a total of 245 in the first innings, the home team’s bowlers struck early. However, Tony de Zorzi and Dean Elgar, the left-handed duo, displayed great determination, thwarting the Indian bowlers’ efforts for the second wicket.
Despite battling against the hosts for 159 deliveries, de Zorzi appeared to succumb to a superstitious ploy by Virat Kohli.
The two left-handers crafted a resilient 93-run partnership, frustrating the primary Indian bowlers and guarding their wickets until the former Indian captain changed the bails positioned over the stumps at the end of the 28th over.
Consequently, de Zorzi struck a boundary off Jasprit Bumrah’s third ball in the over but was soon outmaneuvered by the pacer in the next couple of deliveries.
Facing Bumrah’s short-of-length delivery on the off stump on the final ball, de Zorzi opted to defend but only managed a thick outside edge straight into Jaiswal’s hands at third slip.
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While the wicket was crucial, what ensued was even more intriguing. Kohli emulated Stuart Broad’s tactic of swapping the bails, resulting in a wicket falling shortly after, mirroring a scenario seen in the Ashes earlier in the year.