Ravindra Jadeja’s heroic 61* at Lord’s, while battling a collapse deep into the chase, received high praise from former cricketer Balwinder Singh Sandhu. Yet, Sandhu suggested that this time the pressure may have caught up with Jadeja—something he seldom allows to happen. Sandhu, who has observed Jadeja since their days together at the National Cricket Academy, described him as “a smart cricketer, calm under pressure,” noting that the former U‑19 prodigy has always shown maturity beyond his years.

But when facing England deep in the Lord’s Test, Balwinder Sandhu believes Jadeja may have been gripped by the fear of failure and a lack of trust in the batsmen at the other end. He pointed to a critical moment late in the game.

“Jadeja chose to take a single off a delivery that left him stranded with the strike, instead of backing Jasprit Bumrah, who had been defying the bowlers admirably. If only he had trusted Bumrah… with the field up, it was a perfect moment to go for a boundary,” Balwinder Sandhu noted, implying Jadeja’s caution may have cost India the match.

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Not everyone agrees with this critique. Test mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara, Jadeja’s long-time batting partner, leapt to his defence. Pujara emphasised the sluggish nature of the Lord’s pitch and the softening ball, arguing that aggressive stroke-making was near-impossible under those conditions. He encouraged critics to consider the context, adding that Jadeja’s defensive approach, particularly while nursing the tail, was entirely reasonable.

Cheteshwar Pujara did suggest a subtle shift—playing more shots down the ground, where a gap existed between mid-off and cover, could have opened up scoring opportunities. However, overall, he described Jadeja’s innings as a masterclass in fighting and composure, further enhancing his already established reputation.

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This debate reflects the tension that defines high-stakes Test cricket: leadership under pressure versus situational awareness. Jadeja, a senior statesman and dual-threat all-rounder, may take both critiques to heart as he leads India into the crucial fourth Test at Old Trafford. His decisions—whether to strike out aggressively or shepherd the tail—could determine not only match outcomes but also his legacy under pressure.