NEW DELHI– Ravindra Jadeja’s gritty unbeaten 61 at Lord’s may be remembered as one of his finest innings, but former India captain Anil Kumble believes a critical tactical error late in the game may have cost India an extraordinary win in the third Test against England.
Speaking after India’s heartbreaking 23-run defeat, Kumble questioned the decision to expose tailender Mohammed Siraj to an entire over from England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, especially when just 23 runs were needed for victory.
“If someone had to take the risk and get out, it should’ve been Jadeja, not Siraj,” Kumble said. “Letting Siraj face three deliveries at such a crucial stage was a misjudgment. That over from Bashir could have been better managed.”
Jadeja had entered on Day 5 with India reeling at 82 for 6, chasing a target of 193. Showing exceptional composure, he held the innings together, forging small but vital partnerships even as wickets continued to fall. His calm under pressure brought India within striking distance of an improbable win—until Siraj was bowled trying to survive a full over from Bashir, whom Jadeja had kept at bay for most of the innings.
The moment stirred memories for Kumble of the 1999 Test against Pakistan in Chennai, where India lost narrowly after Javagal Srinath was bowled while supporting an injured but resolute Sachin Tendulkar. “It was similar to that game,” Kumble recalled. “Sachin almost pulled off a miracle, and this felt like déjà vu.”
While lauding Jadeja’s temperament and tactical discipline, Kumble suggested he could have taken a few more calculated risks earlier in his innings—especially against England’s spin trio of Bashir, Joe Root, and Chris Woakes.
“The pitch wasn’t turning square. Jadeja had the ability to go after them, and that might’ve shifted the momentum,” Kumble noted.
He also pointed out other key factors that contributed to India’s loss, including the 32 extras conceded in the first innings and a total of 65 in the match—errors that proved costly in such a tightly contested game. Additionally, he cited the blow Siraj took to the shoulder from Jofra Archer earlier in the day, which may have rattled the tailender ahead of the final over.
Despite the defeat, Kumble praised the match—and the series—as a brilliant showcase for Test cricket.
“This series has gone down to the wire in every game. Session by session, it’s been fiercely competitive,” he said. “Test cricket is very much alive and kicking.”
With the series now standing at 2-1 in England’s favor, the next Test at Old Trafford promises more drama as India looks to bounce back. (Source: IANS)
