Ravindra Jadeja Attracts Navjot Sidhu's Wrath Over Test Match Performance

Ravindra Jadeja has again been at the centre of a heated cricketing controversy following India's drawn Test against England in Manchester. Although most fans admired his contribution that got the team through with a hard-earned draw Sidhu wasn't impressed. The ex-cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu did not mince words and asked Jadeja if he could even win Test matches for India and not merely assist the team when they were in tricky situations. In Sidhu's opinion Jadeja played well as a supportive player but was not able to finish the match and confirm victory.

Jadeja is also considered to be among India's finest all-rounders and over the years he has performed in both bowling and batting particularly in limited-overs cricket. But in the longest version of the game some former cricketers feel that he has not consistently provided match-winning performances. Sidhu likened Jadeja to great Kapil Dev who was capable of turning matches around on his own even in foreign conditions. Sidhu also noted that though Kapil Dev was a true match-winner Jadeja plays a limited role tending to contain more than change the game.

In the fourth Test against England at Manchester, Jadeja played a vital knock and shared hands with Washington Sundar to help India get a much-needed draw. But Sidhu did not think much of this. He stated that such supporting performances were different from providing match-winning contributions. This was in the aftermath of another difficult match at Lord's in an earlier stage of the series when India was unable to chase a modest target of 193. Jadeja had remained not out at 61 but witnessed wickets tumble from the other end which left him stranded and was unable to guide the team across the line. Critics accused him of defensive play and wondered if he might have done more with the bat in hand.

The match at Lord's was a heart-wrenching defeat for India. Having scored 387 runs each in their first innings, after both sides, the Indian bowlers were strong and kept England to just 192 in the second innings. But even though they required only 193 to win, Indian batting collapsed under pressure. England's aggressive pacers particularly Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer bowled with serious intentions and left India in tatters at 58 for 4. It was quickly 112 for 8 and Jadeja was the only hope with 81 runs still needed. He attempted to battle it out but then ran out of partners. This game brought on widespread debates on whether Jadeja might have taken more chances or played with a different attitude to lead India to a victory.

These recent games have placed Jadeja's Test statistics in the limelight. There are still a lot of fans who appreciate his fighting qualities and demeanor out in the field. He is still a livewire out in the field a solid lower-order batsman and a bowler who can restrict runs. But of course for a player of his standard the expectations are high and they expect him to deliver as a game-changer particularly in close encounters. Sidhu's comments are an expression of that sentiment. He did give credit to Jadeja's hard work but maintained that Test matches are not about remaining at the crease or bowling tight overs. They are about winning the game when it comes to crunch time.

Sidhu further stated that his opinions were not influenced by personal prejudice. He even stated that he had previously applauded Jadeja for his development and skill set. But he is of the opinion that Jadeja hasn't displayed that little bit of magic in red-ball cricket particularly beyond India that characterizes classic match-winners. Sidhu, they say, bowls his overs fast and tight and gives control in the middle overs but that is not sufficient to wrap up games in close Test matches.

Fans as well as critics are now split on the topic. Some point out that cricket is a team game and to expect one individual player to finish every game is not realistic. Some align with Sidhu and opine that the job of a veteran all-rounder is not merely to prop up but to take the team ahead in times of need. They opine that Jadeja has had numerous chances to guide India over the line but has come up short on important occasions.

Jadeja's efforts in white-ball formats are unquestionable. He has contributed significantly to India's victories in one-day internationals and T20 cricket with his all-round abilities. But in Test cricket the light is more piercing and the margins are thinner. Without India's star players such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the ongoing series fans were looking forward to seniors such as Jadeja to play the decisive moments.

This is not the first time that the left-handed all-rounder has been under the spotlight in such talks. His composed and unflustered approach to the game is ideal for some situations in the game but sometimes seems a little too cautious when the game requires aggression and fearless decision-making. While India continue the tour in England and the series is still alive all eyes will be on Jadeja to determine whether he can prove his critics wrong with a match-winning show of cricketing talent.

Cricket is a game of stories and expectation and players such as Jadeja bear the hopes of the side and the burden of previous comparison. Whether or not Sidhu's words ignite change remains to be seen but they have certainly brought to the fore once again what makes a real match-winner in Test cricket.