During a high-stakes Test match, Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja maintained his composure and a smile, expertly deflecting a series of sledges from England players who were pressing him to declare the innings.
England’s Offer to Declare
The fourth Test was nearing its end, and England was keen to draw the match. Captain Ben Stokes approached the umpire, Ahsan Raza, extending his hand in a gesture of a draw offer.
The umpire then turned to Ravindra Jadeja, who was currently at 89 runs, alongside Washington Sundar at 81. Jadeja’s clear refusal to accept the draw triggered visible frustration among the English squad.
Archer’s Direct Jab
As Jadeja sipped water during a drinks break, England pacer Jofra Archer weighed in with a pointed comment. “If you want a hundred you should have batted like it earlier,” Archer quipped. Jadeja simply continued smiling and drinking, unfazed by the remark.
The Bouncer Threat
Moments later, as Jadeja was preparing to resume batting, England opener Zak Crawley approached him. “Is it your decision?” Crawley asked about the non-declaration. Jadeja chuckled and firmly replied, “No, no, no!”
Crawley, joined by Jamie Smith, then tried a different tactic. “We will bowl bouncers at you if you want,” he warned. Jadeja, still smiling, shot back, “But you have been doing that all day!”
Duckett’s Time Crunch
Ben Duckett then joined the conversation, pushing for a quick end to the innings. “How long do you need, an hour?” he pressed Jadeja. The Indian all-rounder, standing calmly, responded, “See, I can’t say I don’t want to play.”
Duckett also raised concerns about Washington Sundar, who was also nearing a century. “But then it works that you get to a hundred, he gets to 90. And we have to wait for him,” Duckett remarked, indicating they didn’t have “two hours for him to get to hundred.” Jadeja simply smiled, leaning on his bat.
Stokes’ Final Push
Ben Stokes returned to the exchange, adding his weight to the pressure. “You are going to get a Test hundred against Harry Brook and Ben Duckett,” he told Jadeja, implying it would be an easy century.
Jadeja’s direct reply was, “So, what do you want me to do?” Stokes’ blunt suggestion was to “just walk off!” But Jadeja, true to his team’s strategy, concluded the conversation by stating, “But dressing room doesn’t want me to.”
A Refusal to Yield
As the interactions concluded, Zak Crawley made one last attempt, saying, “If you shake our hands, it’s done!” Jadeja turned to him, then back to Stokes and Duckett, delivering his final word on the matter: “I can’t do anything!”
- Ravindra Jadeja remained remarkably calm despite persistent sledging from England players.
- England’s players tried various tactics, including a direct offer to draw, threats of bouncers, and time pressure.
- Jadeja’s refusal to declare was a team decision, not a personal one, as he clarified multiple times.
Jadeja’s cool demeanor under pressure not only helped him inch closer to a century but also highlighted his unwavering commitment to his team’s strategy, setting the stage for the next Test.
