The third Test at Lord’s turned into a nail-biter as India fell short by 22 runs in the final moments. Amid the heartbreak at the 'Home of Cricket', all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s gritty knock of 61 not out stood out because of the fight he showed with the tailenders.
India were reduced to 112/8 at Lunch on Day 5 and when it seemed that the visitors would suffer a heavy defeat, Jadeja stood tall and had almost taken India home.
The veteran cricketer's calculated innings drew admiration from former England white-ball captain Jos Buttler, who called it “Dhoni-style”.
Follow The Sporting News India on WhatsApp
Jos Buttler compares Jadeja’s knock to Dhoni’s chasing style
Speaking on the For The Love of Cricket podcast, Buttler pointed out Jadeja’s approach in the tense chase. He said Jadeja reminded him of MS Dhoni, known for his cool temperament and habit of taking games deep.
"Jadeja is an incredible cricketer. Jadeja has that sort of stickability and ‘I'm going to try and be here till the end.’ It was Dhoni-style, really, just like, ‘I'm going to hope you crack first'," said Buttler
Buttler highlighted how Jadeja trusted the process, sticking to his plan while shielding the tail. He didn’t panic even when the required runs seemed distant and kept the belief alive till the very last phase.
"What I loved most was the way he went about it and how committed he was to his plan. The amount of faith he showed in No 10 and 11, I think, did wonders for them. I think they buy into that - when you give someone trust and you say, ‘We can do this. This is how we are going to win the game.’" he added.
READ: IND vs ENG 4th Test: England squad for Old Trafford Test announced
How did Jadeja manage the pressure with Bumrah and Siraj at the other end?
When India slumped to 112 for 8 chasing 193, Jadeja remained at the crease and stitched a crucial 35-run stand with Jasprit Bumrah. Their partnership lasted over 20 overs.
After Bumrah’s dismissal, Jadeja carried on with Mohammed Siraj, fighting through another 30 deliveries and narrowing the target to 23 before the final blow came.
Buttler was particularly impressed with Jadeja’s clarity, "Jadeja gave them a clear role—‘This is what I need from you.’ Bumrah and Siraj, two very feisty, competitive, proud guys, put their bodies on the line. Absolutely, they're not the best batters, but it's like they're going to find a way,"
READ: 'Gill will learn' - Mohammad Kaif tells India captain to fix his attitude
What next for India as series heads to Manchester?
India’s hopes of taking a 2-1 series lead at Lord’s were dashed in the final session. With England now ahead 2-1, the fourth Test begins on July 23 at Old Trafford, Manchester, and it’s a must-win for the visitors if they want to stay in the race for the series win.