The narrow 22-run defeat of India against England in the Lord's Test has triggered intense debate and criticism, with former Indian players expressing their disappointment over the team's performance. The primary focus of the criticism has been on Ravindra Jadeja's batting approach and Shubman Gill's captaincy, particularly his perceived passive strategy during the crucial fourth-innings chase.
Ravindra Jadeja's innings of 61* off 181 deliveries has come under scrutiny for its lack of intent to score quickly. While his resilience and determination to hold his wicket were commendable, critics argue that his slow scoring rate put undue pressure on the tailenders, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Former India cricketer Vijay Bharadwaj didn't hold back his words, he questioned Jadeja's tactics of giving much of the strike to Bumrah and Siraj, especially when the pressure was mounting. He stated that with Bumrah and Siraj getting out and Jadeja remaining not out, it was "not at all accepted". Bharadwaj emphasized that whether one scores 50 or 200, it doesn't matter if the team doesn't win. He suggested that it would have been more acceptable if Jadeja had attempted to score more aggressively and gotten out in the process, as that would have at least demonstrated intent.
Shubman Gill, leading India in the five-match Test series against England, has also faced criticism for his leadership, specifically his hands-off approach when Jadeja was batting with the tail. Bharadwaj questioned Gill's decision to allow Jadeja to "play his way," especially when it was apparent that Jadeja was struggling to score and wasn't exhibiting an intent to win the game.
The former India cricketer didn't limit his criticism to the players; he also pointed out the team management's failure to assess the situation and intervene. With the run rate declining and wickets falling, Bharadwaj believes that someone from the coaching staff, captain, or support staff should have communicated a clear message to Jadeja to alter his approach. He noted that even though Jadeja is an experienced player, the dressing room needed to step in if he was playing too cautiously.
Adding to the criticism, legendary Australian cricketer Greg Chappell agreed that Jadeja did well to soak up the pressure but should have been more aggressive. Chappell placed equal responsibility on Gill for Jadeja's approach, stating that Gill should have directly instructed Jadeja to aim for a win while the tailenders supported him. He argued that Jadeja's role wasn't to leave balls and take singles but to secure a victory, and this clarity should have come from the captain.
Several other factors contributed to India's defeat. India Today reported that India gave away 63 runs in extras, double England's 30. Also, KL Rahul's dropped catch of Jamie Smith proved costly, as Smith went on to score a vital 51 runs. Ajinkya Rahane believes Rishabh Pant's run-out and Karun Nair's dismissal were critical turning points.
In conclusion, India's loss at Lord's was a result of multiple factors, including a defensive mindset, lack of partnerships, costly fielding errors, and undisciplined bowling. However, the criticism from former players highlights the disappointment with Jadeja's slow batting and Gill's perceived lack of leadership, fueling the debate over India's missed opportunity to take the lead in the series.
