
R Ashwin Reveals Why Ravindra Jadeja Shouldve Taken More Risk In India's Lord's Test Defeat
Adding fuel to the post-match conversation, Ravichandran Ashwin revealed a behind-the-scenes discussion with a 'big cricketer,' both of whom believed Jadeja could have taken 'slightly more risk' to push India over the line.
Ashwin's Revelation: The Risk That Wasn't Taken
On his YouTube show Ash ki Baat, Ashwin shed light on the tension-filled final day at Lord's. 'I was messaging a big cricketer throughout the match. I won't name him, but both of us felt that Jadeja should have taken a bit more risk, though not recklessly. Hats off to the way he played, showing Gen Z that Test cricket still demands patience,' Ashwin said.
With India reeling at 81/6, Jadeja's knock alongside the tail – Nitish Reddy, Bumrah, and Siraj – almost pulled off the improbable. But according to Ashwin, the approach against young England spinner Shoaib Bashir could have been tweaked. 'He [Jadeja] could have picked one moment with Siraj and asked him to attack Bashir. Siraj can hit a spinner to the leg side with the slope. That might have changed things.'
Kumble Draws Parallels to 1999 Chennai Test
Legendary India captain Anil Kumble, speaking on JioHotstar, echoed Ashwin's sentiments. He recalled India's narrow 12-run loss to Pakistan in 1999 at Chennai – another agonizing defeat where the finish line was in sight but just out of reach.
'It reminded me of that Test in Chennai. Jadeja was left stranded. He took India so close. But full credit to England – they just didn't let go,' Kumble said.
Ben Stokes' Tactical Masterclass
One of the most pivotal aspects of the match was Ben Stokes' captaincy. By keeping his fielders spread out and not offering easy singles, he forced Jadeja and the tail to take risks, which they hesitated to do. Ashwin lauded the move, noting, 'Stokes essentially said – 'If you want to chase this with one run an over, go ahead.' That's high-level mind games.'
The result? India, despite having the technical edge and player depth, succumbed to pressure – a factor Ashwin believes continues to plague the team in crunch moments.
The Bigger Picture: Patience vs. Pressure
While many critics pointed fingers at Jadeja's 'slow' knock, others – including Ashwin – defended it, highlighting the unpredictable bounce, disciplined English bowling, and challenging pitch. 'People say he lacked intent. But how many batters have tried to go aerial and walked back? You can't trust the bounce or pace here. All the fielders were deep. What were his options?' Ashwin asked.
In the age of T20 muscle and IPL flash, Jadeja's methodical approach reminded purists of the beauty of old-school Test cricket — calculated, calm, and character-driven.
What's Next for India in the Series?
With England now leading the five-match Test series 2-1, India finds itself at a crossroads. The Lord's loss has exposed familiar scars – middle-order collapses, tail-end indecision, and the inability to close out tight games despite superior skill. But the takeaway remains: this Indian side still fights till the last ball, and players like Jadeja continue to exemplify the heart of Test cricket.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
8 minutes ago
- First Post
'We've got to look at all the factors': Jasprit Bumrah's availability still in doubt for must-win Manchester Test, says India's assistant coach
India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has said that the team is considering playing Jasprit Bumrah in the must-win fourth Test against England in Manchester but a final call will be taken closer to the match. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant is expected to regain fitness ahead of the game. read more Jasprit Bumrah said before the start of the series that he will play only 3 Tests. Image: AP India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has hinted that Jasprit Bumrah is likely to play the crucial fourth Test against England in Manchester, but a final decision will only be taken right before the match, which begins on July 23. With India trailing the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 1-2, the team is under pressure to level the series. Call on Bumrah to be taken closer to match Speaking after India's training session in Beckenham on Thursday, Doeschate explained that several factors will influence the decision. He also stated that the team is 'leaning towards' playing Bumrah in Manchester with the series on the line. India must win the fourth Test match to stay alive in the contest. 'We'll make that call in Manchester. We know we've got him for one of the last two tests. I think it's pretty obvious the series is on the line now in Manchester, so there will be a leaning towards playing him,' Doeschate was quoted as saying by PTI. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'But again, we've got to look at all the factors. How many days of cricket are we going to get up there? What do we feel is our best chance of winning that game? And then how that fits in together with the Oval and looking at the last two games holistically as part of the series,' he added. The Indian team is slated to reach Manchester on July 19. Captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir will then take a final call on Bumrah's inclusion, most likely after consulting the bowler. Before the start of the India vs England Test series, Bumrah had said that he would only be available for three Tests due to workload management. He cited this as a reason for not taking up the captaincy after Rohit Sharma's retirement. Rishabh Pant likely to play 4th Test Meanwhile, Doeschate said that wicketkeeper-batter before the fourth Test. Pant had injured his index finger during the Lord's Test and was forced to sit out for the remainder of India's bowling innings. 'He batted with quite a lot of pain in the third test and it's only going to get easier and easier on his finger. Keeping is obviously the last part of the process to make sure that he can keep,' he said. 'We don't want to go through that again where we have to replace the keeper halfway through the innings. But he rested today. We're just trying to give him the rest as long as possible and hopefully he's good to go in Manchester in the first training session,' Doeschate added. Pant was replaced by Dhruv Jurel as keeper in both innings after his injury. However, the left-hander still came down to bat and scored a crucial 74 runs in India's first innings before getting run out by Ben Stokes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD


Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: Team India's playing XI in limbo! Arshdeep Singh's injury throws selection into chaos
London: India's Arshdeep Singh during a training session ahead of the third Test cricket match against England, at Lord's Cricket Ground, in London. (PTI Photo/R SenthilKumar)(PTI07_08_2025_000257B) *** Local Caption *** Team India on Thursday was hit with a fresh injury concern. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh sustained a cut on his bowling hand during a net session in Manchester, India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate told reporters. The incident occurred when Arshdeep attempted to stop a shot from Sai Sudharsan during his follow-through. The medical team examined the 26-year-old after training to assess whether stitches would be necessary. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'We have to see how bad the cut is,' said ten Doeschate. 'Obviously, the medical team is taking him to see a doctor. And whether he needs stitches or not is going to be important to our planning for the next few days,' he added. Ryan ten Doeschate press conference: Updates on Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant and Arshdeep Singh Although Arshdeep is yet to make his Test debut, he was being considered as a potential replacement if the team opted to rest a frontline pacer for the fourth Test in Manchester. Ten Doeschate also hinted that the team combination for the Old Trafford Test now hinges on the severity of Arshdeep's injury. 'We'll take a call on the combination we play,' he said. 'Particularly given the Arshdeep situation as well, we'll make that call closer to Manchester,' he added. The fourth Test between India and England will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester, starting July 23. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!


India.com
19 minutes ago
- India.com
IND vs PAK Set For Blockbuster WCL 2025 Showdown On ‘THIS' Date; Yuvraj Singh To Lead India
Cricket's fiercest rivalry is set to be rekindled in July, when India Champions take on Pakistan Champions in a high-voltage encounter at Edgbaston, Birmingham, in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. Adding more excitement to the spectacle, former India star Yuvraj Singh will once again don the captain's armband, leading a team packed with iconic Indian cricketers from the past. A Rivalry Beyond Generations India vs Pakistan has always been more than just a cricket match; it's an emotional rollercoaster that transcends boundaries. Even in the legends format, the passion and intensity remain intact. After a historic win over Pakistan in the 2024 WCL final, Yuvraj Singh and his Indian side are eyeing a repeat performance, while Pakistan will be seeking sweet revenge. Yuvraj Singh Returns as Captain Yuvraj Singh, a key figure in India's 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 World Cup triumphs, will once again lead the side in this nostalgia-filled tournament. His leadership and aggressive brand of cricket had proved pivotal in India lifting the WCL title last year. The stylish southpaw will be eager to script another memorable chapter against Pakistan. Match Info Match: India Champions vs Pakistan Champions Date: July 20, 2025 Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham Format: T20, part of WCL 2025 league stage The match is expected to be sold out, and millions of fans globally are waiting to catch this classic encounter on their screens. Broadcast & Streaming Fans can watch the game live on Star Sports, TNT Sports, Willow TV, FanCode, and official WCL platforms, depending on the region. The World Championship of Legends isn't just nostalgia; it's fiercely competitive. Eight teams, comprising retired international cricketers, are fighting it out in a round-robin league, followed by knockouts. India is the defending champion, while England, Pakistan, Australia, West Indies, South Africa, and Sri Lanka are also competing and will aim for a title this year.