Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan blamed Ravindra Jadeja’s slow batting for Team India’s dramatic four-wicket defeat in the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur on December 3.
After a strong start from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad, both of whom scored brilliant centuries, the Indian cricket team was on track to put up a big score on the board against South Africa. But in the last ten overs the host team could score only 74 runs in Raipur.
India missed the last overs in Raipur ODI, South Africa leveled the series.
Although KL Rahul tried to take the score forward by scoring unbeaten 66 off 43 balls, the lower order could not maintain the momentum. Ravindra Jadeja, who returned to the ODI team in the current three-match ODI series, came in the 42nd over on the flat pitch of Raipur.
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The Indian all-rounder remained unbeaten on 24 off 27 balls and hit only two fours when quick runs were needed. Jadeja scored at a strike rate of 88.89, which was the second lowest in an Indian innings among batsmen who faced at least 20 balls in ODIs.
In the end slow scoring allowed them to score 358/5 on the board in their 50 overs. Later, South Africa achieved the target in 49.2 overs and leveled the three-match ODI series against India at 1-1. Now the deciding match of the series will be played on 6 December in Visakhapatnam.
Ravindra Jadeja’s intentions were disappointing: Irfan Pathan
After the Raipur ODI, Irfan Pathan said that Jadeja’s innings was disappointing and highlighted how important lower-order finishing is in tight matches. Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan said Jadeja’s lack of preparedness hurt India’s chances of scoring even bigger scores.
“There was one issue for me. Ravindra Jadeja’s innings, which was 24 not out in 27 balls, looked very slow. During the commentary we were saying that this could hurt India and in the end that was the difference,” Pathan said in a video on his YouTube channel.
If you are in such a strong position, above 300, and everyone is striking at above one run per ball while you are on 88, it clearly means that there was a lack of urgency in the innings. Sometimes there are slow innings and that is fine, but Jadeja’s intention was disappointing.
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Irfan Pathan criticizes Ravindra Jadeja for playing costly slow innings against South Africa
Commentators criticized Ravindra Jadeja for not showing intent when the team needed it most, especially knowing that dew would make it easier for South Africa to chase the target in Raipur. Pathan emphasized that Jadeja’s slow batting in the final overs did not help India.
“The intention could have been better. And I am not saying this in hindsight. We said this during the commentary as well. It looked like the ball would get wet, which is always a problem for the fielding team. South Africa’s plan was to start cautiously. But Jadeja not pulling his weight with the bat became a frustrating factor for India,” he said.
Notably, the new ODI rules have made batting in the death overs more difficult. Now only one ball is used after the 34th over, so it quickly becomes old and soft, making it more difficult to hit. Earlier, two balls were used, which helped the batsmen to hit big shots as the ball remained hard.
