“Have To Expect More” – Sanjay Manjrekar Disappointed With Ravindra Jadeja’s Bowling In Headingley Test
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has voiced his disappointment over Ravindra Jadeja’s underwhelming performance during India’s five-wicket loss to England in the first Test at Headingley. While Jadeja chipped in with 11 and an unbeaten 25 with the bat, it was his bowling—yielding just one wicket across two innings—that came under heavy scrutiny.
England chased down a daunting target of 371 on the final day, registering their second-highest successful chase at home—again against India, echoing the heartbreak of Leeds 2021.
“Jadeja Had The Conditions, But Didn’t Deliver”
Manjrekar, speaking on Star Sports, stressed that Jadeja had the most favorable conditions among all Indian bowlers to make an impact, especially with rough patches developing on the Day 5 pitch.
“I’m going to be critical of Jadeja because this was a final-day pitch. There was rough available, and it was tailor-made for him. But he didn’t exploit it enough, especially against someone like Ben Duckett. We expect more from a senior player,” Manjrekar said.
He pointed out that unlike the pacers, who had little assistance from the surface or air, Jadeja had conditions on his side.
“Even Bumrah wasn’t getting much off the pitch. The conditions were flat for the seamers. But for Jadeja, there was something. Still, he wasn’t effective,” he added.
Praise For Duckett, Support For Krishna
Manjrekar also praised England opener Ben Duckett, who smashed a fluent century to set the tone for the chase. He highlighted Duckett’s superior record against both Bumrah and Jadeja, stating:
“Duckett has been exceptional. He’s faced both Jadeja and Bumrah before and has an excellent record against them. I don’t think Jadeja has ever dismissed him, even in home conditions.”
While Jadeja faced heat, young pacer Prasidh Krishna received some backing from Manjrekar. Krishna went wicketless and conceded runs at an expensive rate but was spared sharp criticism.
“It’s not fair to be harsh on someone like Prasidh Krishna. He’s young and learning. Of course, there’s room for improvement. But he’s not the one you expect to win you a Test on Day 5,” Manjrekar said.
Jadeja’s Experience a Factor in Criticism
Despite a modest bowling display, Manjrekar clarified that his criticism of Jadeja stemmed from the fact that he is India’s most experienced campaigner.
“He’s the most seasoned in this bowling unit. With the match hanging in balance and nothing in the pitch for the seamers, Jadeja had to rise to the occasion. Unfortunately, he didn’t,” he concluded.
What Next?
With the second Test set to begin at Edgbaston on July 2, pressure is mounting on Jadeja to deliver with the ball. His role will be pivotal, especially if India opt for a spin-heavy attack, as expected. Fans and experts alike will watch closely to see how he responds to criticism and whether he can bounce back to his usual match-winning self.
