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Irfan Pathan Slams ‘Disappointing’ Jadeja for Raipur Loss: ‘Where Was The Intent?’
Follow UsJadeja walked in as a finisher and yet could only manage 2 boundaries in 27 balls
It’s not often that a team loses after racking up 358 on the board in an ODI but India suffered a rather shock loss in Raipur as South Africa chased the target down in thumping fashion.
Prasidh Krishna, who went for 85 runs in his 8.2 overs, came under immense criticism post the loss for his loose bowling, but what’s also come under the scanner post the loss is the innings of Ravindra Jadeja, who walked in to bat in the 41st over and struck at less than 90 despite facing 27 balls. Jadeja could only manage two fours in his 27-ball stay, and his innings meant that India, despite being 284-3 after 39 overs, ended up with only 358 runs on the board.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan slammed Jadeja’s ‘disappointing’ innings and questioned the left-hander’s lack of intent.
“Ravindra Jadeja’s 27 off 24 felt extremely slow. We said during commentary — this could hurt India, and in the end, it did,” Pathan said on Seedhi Baat, reported Times of India.
“If everyone is striking above a run a ball and you’re at 88 strike rate, the innings lacked urgency. The intent from Jadeja was disappointing.”
Unquestionably, dew played a massive part in South Africa’s victory as the ball became a bar of soap midway through the Proteas’ innings. Still, Pathan insisted that Jadeja’s innings was the biggest reason for the loss, as his slow knock meant that India didn’t score enough to compensate for the dew.
“India were in a strong position. The ball was getting wet, the fielding side would struggle later. But Jadeja not pulling his weight with the bat became a disappointing factor,” he said.
The former all-rounder also credited the visitors for pulling things back well. In the last 10 overs, India managed only 74 runs despite losing just one wicket.
“This score could have been 370. The way Lungi Ngidi and the others pulled things back was outstanding. KL Rahul’s 18 runs in the final over were magnificent, but it was crucial how South Africa clawed back,” Pathan said.
The third and final ODI of the series, which is currently 1-1, will be played tomorrow (December 6) in Vizag.