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"Fear Of Failing": India's WC Winner Blames Ravindra Jadeja For Lord's Test Defeat

Akshita Patel

Balwinder Sandhu questions Ravindra Jadeja [Source: @HustlerCSK, @nikun28/X.com]Balwinder Sandhu questions Ravindra Jadeja [Source: @HustlerCSK, @nikun28/X.com]

India’s dramatic chase at Lord’s ended in heartbreak, falling short by just 22 runs as Ravindra Jadeja's heroics in a valiant unbeaten innings were not enough. But now, ex-India cricketer Balwinder Singh Sandhu has fanned the flames, claiming Jadeja's insufficient belief in Jasprit Bumrah cost India the match.

Chasing 193 against England in the third Test, India found themselves in deep trouble at 112/8. With only bowlers remaining at the crease, Jadeja held his ground.

Together with Bumrah and subsequently Mohammed Siraj, he stitched gritty lower-order partnerships that brought India tantalisingly close to a famous win. But the final moments have become the focal point of criticism.

Balwinder Sandhu Questions Jadeja’s Approach At Lord’s

Writing in his column for Mid-Day, former cricketer Balwinder Singh Sandhu questioned Ravindra Jadeja’s decision-making under pressure. He opined that the all-rounder didn’t trust his tail partners and had a fear of failing.

“Coming to the final moments, Ravindra Jadeja is someone I’ve known since his U-19 days at the National Cricket Academy. Even back then, he showed maturity beyond his age. He’s a smart cricketer, calm under pressure, but this time, maybe the fear of failing, or the pressure of not trusting the tail, got the better of him," Sandhu said.

The comment refers to Jadeja’s move to take a risky single and retain the strike instead of trusting Bumrah to see off the over. Sandhu, who coached Jadeja in his younger days, still praised his composure but admitted the moment might have gotten to him.

“If only he had trusted Jasprit Bumrah a bit more – especially when Bumrah was defending so well – and resisted taking that single off the fourth ball to retain strike. Had he backed himself to finish it in those last two balls, with the field up, it was a perfect moment to go for the boundary,” he added.

Jadeja was eventually left stranded on 61* off 181 balls as India fell short of 22 runs to go down 1-2 in the 5-game series.

Hero or Villain? Why Is Jadeja Judged Despite Fightback?

Ravindra Jadeja’s unbeaten 61 at Lord’s was a masterclass in grit and determination, but it wasn’t enough to take India over the line. As wickets fell around him, Jadeja stood tall, shielding the tail and inching closer to the 193-run target. 

His calm under pressure, awareness against short balls, and four straight fifties in the series reflect his immense value in this transition-era Indian team. 

Yet, without support, even heroes fall short. While critics debate his approach, Jadeja’s resilience speaks louder than numbers. Jadeja will be India’s crisis man going forward in the series.