ENG vs IND : “Ravindra Jadeja Was Defending Really Well But….”- Sanjay Manjrekar’s Brutal Dig On All-Rounder

Ravindra Jadeja joined Kapil Dev in an elite list during his unbeaten 61-run knock against England in the quest for the target of 193. Ravindra Jadeja’s efforts didn’t prove to be enough and India suffered a 22-run defeat. But Ravindra Jadeja’s batting heroics saw him join a huge list. The veteran all-rounder has become only the fourth cricketer to score more than 7000 runs and scalp over 600 wickets in international cricket. Ravindra Jadeja made his India debut in 2009. His Test debut came 3 years later.

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 Sanjay Manjrekar for his approach to the game and he expressed his views on the same.

Sanjay Manjrekar makes scathing remarks on Ravindra Jadeja’s defensive play

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar questioned Ravindra Jadeja’s slow approach with the willow on Day 5 at Lord’s Test vs England. While giving credit to the all-rounder for his defiance, Manjrekar opined that he did not put enough pressure on the opposition and batted as if India was playing for a draw.