Former cricketer Irfan Pathan blamed Ravindra Jadeja’s lack of intent for India’s loss in the second ODI of the series. The Indian side managed only 74 runs in the last ten overs, even though the middle order had provided strong momentum earlier in the innings.
After the aggressive batting from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad, India’s scoring rate slowed down significantly in the crucial death overs. Captain KL Rahul tried his best to push India toward a big total with his unbeaten knock of 66 off 43 balls. However, Washington Sundar, who scored 1 off 8 balls, and Ravindra Jadeja, who finished with 24 off 27 balls, slowed the team down at a time when quick runs were desperately needed.
Speaking on his YouTube channel after South Africa chased down the target in 49.2 overs, Pathan said that Jadeja’s innings was extremely disappointing.
“There was one issue for me. Ravindra Jadeja’s innings, which was 27 balls for 24 not out, felt extremely slow. During commentary we were saying that this could hurt India, and in the end that became the difference. If you are in such a strong position, above 300, and everyone is striking above a run a ball while you are at 88, it clearly means the innings lacked urgency. Sometimes a slower innings happens, and that is fine, but the intent from Jadeja was disappointing,” Pathan said on his show Seedhi Baat.
Jadeja’s strike rate of 88.89 was the second lowest in the Indian innings among batters who faced at least 20 balls. He did not hit a single six, which helped South Africa pull back several important overs.
