ENG vs IND : “Ravindra Jadeja Had Done 90% Of Job But……”- Mohammad Kaif’s Bold Statement On All-Rounder

Ravindra Jadeja produced a gritty knock to keep India in the hunt during their chase of 193 against England in the third Test at Lord’s. On Day 5, India were reduced to 82 for 7 and then to 112 for 8 after the top and middle order were blown away by fiery spells of fast bowling from Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, and Brydon Carse on Sunday evening and Monday morning. Just when it seemed England would wrap up the Test in the morning session and enjoy their Lord’s lunch,  Ravindra Jadeja dug in and refused to go down without a fight.

What looked to be a tame defeat ended in heartbreak following a spirited rearguard effort from Jadeja and India’s Nos. 10 and 11 — Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. While top-order stars including Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill threw their wickets away on Day 4 evening, leaving India reeling at 58 for 4 at stumps, Bumrah and Siraj showed grit and character, facing 84 balls between them and offering dogged support to Ravindra Jadeja.

The partnerships for the final two wickets lasted 212 balls, keeping England on the field until the third session. However, India still fell short of the target by 22 runs. Ravindra Jadeja, along with Bumrah and Siraj, added 58 runs and remained unbeaten on 61 after facing 181 balls — but their efforts could not undo the damage caused by the earlier collapse.

Ravindra Jadeja batted with caution alongside the tail, refusing to offer England a whiff of opportunity. The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder struck a six in the 48th over off Chris Woakes to signal his intent, but India then went 107 deliveries without another boundary.

Ravindra Jadeja refrained from taking risks even against Chris Woakes, Shoaib Bashir and Joe Root, who found far less assistance from the surface than Stokes, Archer or Carse. This defensive play by Ravindra Jadeja irks Mohammad Kaif who did praise the left hander for his approach but also questioned his defensive approach.

Mohammad Kaif’s harsh take on Ravindra Jadeja’s batting style

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif lauded veteran all-rounder for his mature batting in the third Test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 against England at Lord’s in London. Jadeja, who went wicketless in the second innings, kept India’s hopes alive on Day 5 of the third Test with his calm and composed batting against England.

Coming back to the third Test match, Jadeja kept India’s hopes alive with a gritty unbeaten 56 as the visitors reached 163 for nine at tea on the last day of the ongoing Test. Mohammed Siraj was giving company to Jadeja on 2 at the tea break as India needed 30 more runs for a victory.

While chasing 193 runs, India failed to get a good start as they lost four wickets in the first session, as England got the momentum of the game.

However, India lost just one wicket in the second session. Pace sensation ofra Archer picked up the wickets of Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar, while Ben Stokes removed KL Rahul and Chris Woakes sent back Nitish Reddy to leave India in all sorts of trouble at 112 for eight at lunch. Late into the second session, Stokes dismissed Jasprit Bumrah to take his team within sniffing distance of victory. Ravindra Jadeja was left stranded on 61* of 181 balls as India lost the match by 22 runs. Speaking to IANS, Mohammad Kaif said :

“Jadeja played a brilliant innings – full credit to him. But maybe, just maybe, if he had played 10 per cent more aggressively, the result could have been different. It was a Day 5 pitch – the ball was reversing, bounce was uneven, and conditions were tough.

“When Siraj came in to bat, he faced only three deliveries. At that stage, you have to manage the strike – be mindful of how many balls you’re exposing tailenders like Bumrah or Siraj to.

“Jadeja had done 90 per cent of the job. Just 10 per cent more – a few calculated risks – and the chase might’ve been completed. But it’s easy to say from the outside. Only the batter knows the pressure in that moment. Still, it was a memorable knock.”