Ravindra Jadeja Frustrated After Expensive Fielding Mistake Provides Lifeline for Joe Root in Fourth Test

The third day's play in the fourth Test between England and India at Old Trafford witnessed a frustrated moment from Ravindra Jadeja as a costly fielding mistake gave Joe Root a lifeline from what could have turned out to be a vital run out. Joe Root hit a ball from Mohammed Siraj in the direction of gully in the 54th over of England's innings. The fielder partially stopped the ball and Jadeja was quick enough to try a run out. His throw went past the stumps as Root was comfortably out of the crease and no one was there to catch the ball behind the wickets. Anshul Kamboj who was required to cover around the stumps had not even occupied his station. By the time he picked up the ball from mid-on, it was too late. Jadeja was obviously disgruntled and did not try to conceal his annoyance with the debutant. His face clearly indicated how much that missed chance meant to the team.

That mistake provided Root with a new opportunity and he seized it. Joe Root continued to play unbeaten and with complete authority. He soon achieved a personal record by going up to third on the all-time list of top Test run-scorers in the game's history. Root who was playing his 157th Test match surpassed the great Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis in this innings. With more than thirteen thousand runs to his credit now he is left behind by only Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar. They both have retired which now makes Root the leading current player in terms of runs accumulated in Test cricket. Root's composed demeanor at the crease put extra pressure on the Indian side and assisted England to further tighten their hold on the game.

England began the third day in a good position having scored 225 for 2 at Day 2's close. Their top-order had already laid a good foundation with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett putting up an explosive opening stand of 166 runs off only 32 overs. When play resumed on Day 3 Ollie Pope was still unbeaten on 20 and Root was on 11. They went on adding to the momentum and by lunch England had added 332 for 2. Pope was on 70 and Root was on 63 and they were only 26 runs behind India's first innings total of 358. The pressure was surely on the Indian bowling unit which was having trouble finding the breakthroughs. Fielding mistakes only contributed to the woes of the visitors.

Indian players' frustration was evident as things started slipping away. Ravindra Jadeja's outburst at the missed run out was a reflection of the mood in Indian camp. It wasn't just a lost opportunity it was a turning point. For a debutant like Anshul Kamboj the moment would have been a harsh lesson. Fielding in Test cricket particularly at critical times requires utmost vigilance and accuracy. Kamboj had previously shown that he was unhappy with his own bowling display and was looking to improve. Unfortunately this fielding error put more pressure on him and he will have to learn and adjust rapidly to the demands of international cricket.

While England kept going strong with Root and Pope driving the innings ahead without any hassles. The bowlers of India were not able to break the partnership. The weather was also playing in the favor of the batters which made it even tougher for the visitors. Shubman Gill's name also featured in the talks as some of the experts mentioned that he lacked the energy and aggression which Rishabh Pant would often provide to the field. Sanjay Manjrekar noted that India's fielding and energy within the field were subpar which gave England the opportunity to settle in easily.

The game went on to evade India's grasp as the English batsmen continued to increase their lead. Joe Root was the pillar of the innings with his intelligent and calm batting. The fact that he escaped a run out due to a fielding error made his innings even more important. The lost opportunity was not only a fielding error it became a turning point in the game. Had Root been run out at that moment the match might have shifted in another direction.

Social media was quick to respond to the gaffe. A video clip of the mistake and Jadeja's angry response was posted widely. Most fans were disappointed while some responded in support of the young debutant reminding everyone that mistakes are an integral part of the learning process. Even in a high-pressure game like this one such mistakes can be costly for the team. Root's lifeline proved to be the turning point of the match and his cool head guided England to complete control.

With the Test match progressing the spotlight was on how India would recover from this loss. The side had to pull themselves together quickly and devise some strategy to curb the English batting line. For Jadeja and the rest of the Indian side this was a moment of lost opportunity they would want not to live in regret later on in the game. For Kamboj it was a moment of reflection and learning. For Joe Root it was simply yet another reminder of the importance even a single error can play in the longer game.