Ravindra Jadeja unable to peel off banana, Ricky Ponting makes fun of thumb injury: WATCH

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja sustained a thumb injury on Day 3 of the third Test against Australia. The cricketer coped a vicious Mitchell Starc delivery on his left thumb as an already depleted Indian side suffered yet another crushing blow. Jadeja was later ruled out for about six weeks, which could very well get extended depending upon further scans and treatment.

India vs Australia 3rd Test: Ravindra Jadeja injury update

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Ravindra Jadeja injury update: All-rounder's injury mocked by on-air commentators

On Day 5, the Indian batsmen took a survival route after Rishabh Pant’s 97-run hurricane. During Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin’s partnership, Jadeja was seen sitting in the dugout alongside debutant Navdeep Saini. Due to his thumb injury, Ravindra Jadeja was seen seeking assistance from Navdeep Saini. In a video shared by 7Cricket on their social media accounts, Saini peeled off a banana for the star all-rounder.

The Australian commentators on-air at the time saw the lighter side of the moment. While Saini was peeling off the banana, Ricky Ponting laughingly predicted that the speedster was doing the same for Jadeja because the latter has an injured thumb. When the all-rounder took the banana from his younger teammate, Ponting said “Here we go!”.

Ricky Ponting hit headlines on Day 5 after IPL mentee Rishabh Pant's counterattacking 97 poured water to his earlier prediction that India would not score 'even' 200 in the fourth innings at the SCG. The former Australian captain had also previously criticised Pant for dropping catches as a keeper, which fell flat after Tim Paine performed even worse during the game behind the stumps. Ponting also took a shot at Cheteshwar Pujara for his slow strike rate in the first innings. However, in the context of the Test match which ended in a thrilling draw, Pujara's 205-ball 77 proved to be extremely critical as Jadeja's injury and Pant's dismissal meant India had to bat for a stalemate rather than go for the victory.

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India vs Australia 3rd Test updates

Despite Ravindra Jadeja’s injury, a depleted Indian team salvaged a draw against Australia on Day 5. Earlier on the final day, captain Ajinkya Rahane got out for 4 as he failed to add to his overnight score. His dismissal was followed by a 148-run partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara (77) and Rishabh Pant (97).

Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin later batted out 43 overs to ensure the series remained level at 1-1 heading into the fourth and final Test match at The Gabba. Vihari, who was yet to fully recover from his own injury, batted with grit and determination to face out 161 deliveries. Meanwhile, Ashwin survived 128 balls at the other end during their unbeaten and match-saving 62-run partnership.

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Image source: 7Cricket Twitter