 "Former Pakistan cricketer slams Ravindra Jadeja for lacking intent during chase in Lord's Test: 'No batter tried to make runs'")
Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has questioned Ravindra Jadeja’s cautious batting, holding it responsible for India’s heartbreaking loss to England in the third Test at Lord’s. India needed just 193 runs in the final innings to clinch the match and take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. However, Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes took three wickets each to turn the game on its head as India were reduced to 112/8 on Day 5.
Nonetheless, a valiant knock from Ravindra Jadeja and some stubborn batting from tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj gave India a glimmer of hope before it was dashed in the most heart-wrenching manner. Jadeja and Bumrah added 35 runs in 22 overs, while the all-rounder stitched a thrilling 23-run stand with Siraj in little over 13.2 overs as India started to dream about a memorable win at Lord’s.
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The dream was crushed most cruelly as the ball rolled down to hit the stumps after Siraj defended a Shoaib Bashir delivery.
Akmal blasts Jadeja’s batting in Lord’s Test
Analysing India’s narrow loss, former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal accused India of lacking intent during the chase and said that England would have completed the small target in less than 30 overs. The Indian innings lasted for 74.5 before they were bowled out on 170.
“If they had tried, runs would have come. Against this bowling, they scored so many runs in the first two Tests, so 192 (193) was not such a difficult target,” Akmal said on YouTube channel The Game Plan. “The pitch was a bit difficult, but the uneven bounce that was there during England’s innings wasn’t there during India’s chase. England would have completed the chase by lunch.
“In batting, the planning was not right. When Jadeja was getting to play the final two balls of the over and the fielders were up, he should have taken his chances. He wanted to take the match deep. No batter tried to make runs.”
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Akmal was specifically critical of Jadeja, who scored 61 not out of 181 balls at a strike rate of 33.7, as he felt Jadeja needed to be more aggressive in his approach.
“Bumrah and Siraj defended very well and provided partnerships. But the balls that Jaddu got. The runs that he could have scored, had he got them, India could have won by Tea,” he added.
India will aim to level the series when they face England in the fourth Test at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground from 23 July.
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