Ravindra Jadeja's 181-ball 61* went in vain as India fell 22 runs short of the target.
Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten on 61 in 181 balls as India lost to England by 22 runs in the third Test at Lord’s on July 14, 2025. The match went right down to the wire despite England reducing India to 82/7 at one stage, while India looked to chase 193 runs to win the game.
After being reduced to 58/4 by stumps on Day 4, India lost two more vital players in Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. Due to India's batting collapse, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was tasked with leading the team to victory.
Jadeja worked really hard, first with Nitish Kumar Reddy and subsequently with Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. After the match, both supporters and commentators commended his tenacity and resolve in trying to get India near the goal.
But Jadeja was also chastised for his painfully slow and cautious attitude, despite his best attempts.
R Ashwin, former India spinner and Jadeja's bowling partner, defended him, nevertheless. The former India spinner defended Jadeja by claiming that the player's aggressive innings and flamboyant strokes were technically challenging.
"For the experts who say that he could have shown more intent, I ask, how many times has a batter gone down the ground and gone into the dressing room? You cannot trust the bounce or pace of this pitch. All the fielders were standing back. What option does Jadeja have?" questioned the veteran, speaking on his YouTube channel "Ash ki Baat".
Ashwin persisted in arguing in favor of Jadeja, claiming that only if he had made clean contact with the ball could he have hit a six or a boundary. A lap sweep or a reverse sweep against pace were his other two choices.
"I felt he played the correct numbers. Ben Stokes' captaincy was very good. He said, 'There are 70 runs. If you want to score one run per over and make this score, please do," said Ashwin.
Even though England might have won the match, Ashwin emphasized that India's skill level is far superior to that of the hosts. But he said that 'pressure' is what's preventing them from moving forward.