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.
Despite Ravindra Jadeja’s fighting knock India fell short by 22 runs to register a famous win at Lord’s . Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly praised Ravindra Jadeja’s valiant efforts but also expressed his disappointment with India’s loss at Lords.
Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly praised Ravindra Jadeja but was disappointed with India’s loss in 4th Test
Sourav Ganguly expressed disappointment after India failed to cross the finish line in the third Test against England at Lord’s Cricket Ground. On Monday, the Three Lions secured the narrowest victory by just 22 runs at the Home of Cricket, taking a 2-1 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing 193, India were bowled out for 170 in 74.5 overs. Ganguly said that, considering India’s strong batting performance earlier in the series, he was disappointed to see the batting collapse.
“They should have got this 190 [193], and when you saw [Ravindra] Jadeja guts it out and fight and score the runs, the batting quality in this team is absolutely brilliant, and I think they will be more disappointed than I am because it was an opportunity to get 2-1 up in the series against England.
“Two more matches to go. I am sure they have left disappointed not getting 190, especially with the quality of batsmanship there is in the dressing room,” Ganguly said at the Indian Racing League & F4 India Championship on Tuesday.
Sourav Ganguly was also impressed with Ravindra Jadeja’s performance at Lord’s. Jadeja scored 72 runs in the first innings and followed it up with a gritty 61-run knock in the second innings. In the second innings, Jadeja was left stranded at the non-striker’s end when Shoaib Bashir dismissed Mohammed Siraj, bringing the match to an end.
Hailing Ravindra Jadeja’s performance , Sourav Ganguly teremed him as a special player who has exceptionnaly improved on his batting skills with experience. Sourav Ganguly said :
“Sad from a team’s point of view, but Jadeja has been exceptional. He is going to continue to play for India as long as he bats and performs like this. He has been around for a long time. Almost 80 Test matches and more than 200 one-day games.
“And now you can see if batting, bowling, fielding, you know, he’s a special player and his batting has really improved over the years with experience and quality. He was actually a top-order batsman for Saurashtra in his younger days and then became a left-arm spinner. So he is a special player and is a very important part of this team,” Ganguly concluded.
While India failed to get past the finish line at Lord’s on Monday, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja continued his impressive form with the willow. His knock of 61* in the second innings at Lord’s was his fourth consecutive half-century in the series. The 36-year old has contributed 72 in the first innings of Lord’s Test. Before that he has scored 89 and 69* in the Birmingham Test. In six innings across the series , the southpaw has accumulated 327 runs at an average of 109.
Ravindra Jadeja and Siraj were visibly gutted at the end, as India found themselves agonisingly close yet ultimately short. England players, including Zak Crawley and Joe Root, walked over to console a tearful Siraj. Captain Stokes put an arm around Jadeja, acknowledging the Indian star’s defiant resistance. Ravindra Jadeja’s knock was full of calm and patience. But with India chasing a close target and the lower order at the crease, some think he could have tried to speed things up.
With England taking a 2–1 lead in the series, India will be hoping to bounce back when the two teams meet in the fourth Test, starting 23 July in Manchester.
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