During the third Test match against England, Team India`s all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja played a fighting knock of 61 runs, but former Team India spinner Anil Kumble feels that the pitch was not turning, and for that reason, Jadeja should have gone after the English bowlers.
“The pitch wasn’t turning square. Jadeja had the ability to go after them. That could’ve changed things,” said Kumble.
Further speaking, the former cricketer said Jadeja should have been the man taking the risk, and handing a over to Shoaib Bashir was a misstep.
“If someone had to take a risk and get out, it should have been Jadeja, not Siraj. Allowing a full over to Bashir at such a stage was a misstep,” he said.
Mohammed Siraj, who was playing a supportive role to Jadeja during the run chase, was bowled in Bashir`s over. Siraj defended the ball, but unfortunately, the ball turned towards the stumps late, which resulted in his dismissal.
Siraj`s wicket reminded Kumble of the time when Javagal Srinath was bowled by Pakistan`s Saqlain Mushtaq in 1999.
“It reminded me of that Test when Javagal Srinath was bowled by Saqlain Mushtaq while supporting Sachin Tendulkar, who had almost pulled off a miracle. It’s a similar feeling,” the 54-year-old recalled.
Kumble also highlighted other key moments that hurt India: 32 extras in the first innings, 65 in total, and Siraj being struck on the shoulder by Jofra Archer, which may have unsettled him before that final over.
Still, Kumble hailed the contest as a “great advertisement for Test cricket,” noting that all three matches in the series so far had gone down to the wire. With England now leading 2-1, he added, “Session by session, it’s been a tightly contested series. Test cricket is alive and kicking.
With a lead of 2-1 in the ongoing five-match Test series, England will lock horns against Team India for the fourth Test match, starting from July 23. It will be interesting to see if India`s lead pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, makes his appearance in Manchester`s Test. The pacer was advised not to play consecutive Test matches, considering his workload management.
(With IANS Inputs)
