Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali thought Ravindra Jadeja should have heeded Javed Miandad’s advice when batting on the penultimate day of the third Test of the five-match series against England. Basit considered the former Pakistan legend’s advise for hitters while playing with tail-enders on Day 5 against Ben Stokes.
As the tourists chased 193 on the final day of the crucial match, the ex-cricketer said Jadeja should have batted more aggressively in the middle with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj at the other end.
“Were fielders outside the circle? If so, he had little choice. However, Javed Miandad advised batting with the tail and going for boundaries in the last two deliveries of the over when the field comes in. He was cultivating strike and trusted Bumrah and Siraj to face 2–3 balls per over because they were doing well. If he was sure they would stay, he should have set boundaries. He should have listened to Miandad, he said on YouTube.
He may have won for India with more courage: Basit
The Karachi-born said the Saurashtra all-rounder should have batted like Ben Stokes’ Ashes 2019 knock against Australia, given his talents and big-hitting approach. Cricketer-turned-YouTuber disputed Jadeja’s experience, saying a guy without game time can play like he did at Lord’s.
Was this Jadeja’s first Test match? Jadeja could have gambled more. He left Shoaib Bashir or Joe Root bowling. Jadeja did not charge while flighting the ball. He should have hit a few sixes down the line. Also missing: slog sweeps. He could have won for India with more courage. He said in the same video, “When Ben Stokes won that Ashes game against Australia, I felt he was about to do the same.”
India is 2-1 down with two matches left. After a battle at Lord’s, Shubman Gill’s team would try to level the series. Old Trafford, Manchester, will host the fourth game on July 23. The teams will then return to London for the fifth and final Test at The Oval.
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