India’s seasoned all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja found himself at the centre of a mini-storm on Day 2 of the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Edgbaston. The controversy unfolded in the 86th over of India’s first innings, as England voiced their frustration over Jadeja repeatedly running into the danger area of the pitch.
The drama began when England seamer Chris Woakes delivered a 128 km/h ball outside off stump, which Jadeja gently tapped into the off-side. Indian captain Shubman Gill, exercising caution, declined the single and signaled Jadeja to retreat. However, Jadeja’s retreat saw him stray too close to the protected area of the pitch — a zone maintained to preserve the surface, especially for bowlers later in the match.
Umpire Sharfuddoula stepped in immediately, walking up to Jadeja with a stern but gentle reminder to avoid stepping into the danger zone again. While no penalty was imposed, the warning set the stage for escalating tensions.
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Things got more intense a few overs later. Before the 90th over began, England captain Ben Stokes confronted Jadeja in a heated exchange, clearly annoyed at what he perceived as repeated disregard for the rules. Tempers flared again when Woakes, visibly irritated, gave Jadeja a cold stare after another close call with the danger area. Stokes then theatrically walked to the spot where Jadeja had run and stood there in protest, signaling his discontent.
To his credit, Jadeja calmly defended himself, stating he hadn’t stepped onto the main pitch but had kept to the side. Still, the English camp wasn’t convinced.
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Amid the tension, Jadeja also had a close escape in the 88th over. A sharp delivery from Stokes nearly pinned him on the pads, prompting a loud appeal. However, an inside edge onto the pad denied England any reward. The ball rolled to mid-wicket, and Jadeja and Gill scampered through for a single.
Shortly after, the Indian physio was seen attending to Jadeja, possibly due to an earlier blow to his finger. Ever the warrior, Jadeja sipped pickle juice — a common remedy for cramps — and resumed batting, unfazed and unflinching.
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By the end of the session, Jadeja had not only weathered England’s pace and pressure but also reached his half-century. Alongside the centurion Gill (136*), the pair stitched together a crucial unbeaten 138-run partnership for the sixth wicket, guiding India towards a commanding first-innings total at Edgbaston.
