Team India’s heart-breaking 22-run defeat at Lord’s has sparked heated debate — and this time, it’s Ravindra Jadeja who’s in the spotlight.
India came agonizingly close to a famous win while chasing 193, thanks to a gritty partnership between Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah. However, the match slipped away in the final moments, and now, former cricketers and fans alike are questioning Jadeja’s approach.
The Crucial Moment
Set a target of 193, India seemed down and almost out at 112/8 on the last day. Yet, Jadeja (61 off 181 balls) and tail-ender Bumrah (5 off 54 balls) mounted a gritty 35-run partnership spanning 22 overs, pulling India back into contention.
Sandhu notes that during the final over, Jadeja opted against taking a single on the fourth ball. His reasoning? To retain strike. But Sandhu argues Bumrah had shown enough defence to earn a chance — Jadeja “should have trusted him a bit more”
Afraid to Take the Risk”
Echoing concerns, Sandhu recalled Jadeja’s composed nature since his U‑19 days at the NCA, but said the pressure at Lord’s appeared to weigh on him.
“Maybe the fear of failing, or the pressure of not trusting the tail, got the better of him,” Sandhu wrote
Jadeja-Bumrah’s Never-Say-Die Stand
India were in deep trouble at 112/8, but Jadeja (61 off 181 balls) and Bumrah (5 off 54 balls) stitched together a gritty 35-run stand for the ninth wicket. Their partnership brought India within touching distance of a memorable victory.
But with just 23 runs needed and two wickets in hand, Jadeja seemed to go into a shell. He kept the strike, perhaps trying to shield Bumrah, and eventually fell — leaving India just short.
Critics Slam Jadeja’s Defensive Approach’
The decision to not trust Bumrah has drawn criticism from several former players. Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal were especially harsh, calling Jadeja “overcautious” and “afraid to take responsibility.”
“He should have gone for the boundary when it was needed most,” Kamran said on his YouTube channel.
They argue that with just a handful of runs left, Jadeja should have taken the risk — either to finish the game or go down fighting.
Fans and Experts Support
Not everyone is pointing fingers. Some former cricketers, including Sanjay Manjrekar, praised both players for showing tremendous resilience under pressure. Bumrah’s defensive effort — surviving for nearly 100 minutes — was especially applauded.
Fans too were divided. While some blamed Jadeja, others appreciated the duo’s fightback on a tough pitch against a world-class English bowling attack.
What Went Wrong for India?
- Lack of support from the middle order
- Missed chances early in the innings
- Overdependence on Jadeja in the final moments
- Possibly poor communication between the last two batters
Moral of the Story: Trust a Partner
In the end, this Test will be remembered not just for the result, but for what it taught us about trust and teamwork. Bumrah had shown enough grit to deserve a little more faith. Jadeja’s choice, whether driven by pressure or panic, became the tipping point.
