Mumbai: India's all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja became the first India number eight batsman to score half-century in a World Cup. Earlier, Nayan Mongia held the record for scoring highest runs at number eight(28) against Zimbabwe in 1998.

Jadeja has silenced his critics, including Sanjay Manjrekar by playing a crucial 77-run knock against New Zealand in ICC World Cup 2019 semi-final.

Jadeja was recently involved in a Twitter spat with former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar. Manjrekar had addressed Jadeja as ‘bits and pieces’ cricketer, to which Jadeja had responded by tweeting, "Still i have played twice the number of matches you have played and i m still playing. Learn to respect ppl who have achieved.i have heard enough of your verbal diarrhoea. @sanjaymanjrekar,"

Jadeja showcased his trademark sword celebration after reaching his fifty.  Furthermore, the Indian all-rounder replied to Manjrekar in some fashion, gesturing wildly towards the commentary box while celebrating his fifty.

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first. Ross Taylor top-scored with 74 as New Zealand reached 239 for eight in 50 overs  on the reserve day of the rain-interrupted World Cup semi-final. India needed to post 240 on the board to be triumphant over New Zealand.

Despite Jadeja’s all-round brilliance in the semi-final, India failed to advance into the final as the Men in Blue managed to post only 221 on the board.