Sanjay Manjrekar Critiques Ravindra Jadeja's Performance in 1st Test Against England

In a recent analysis, Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his disappointment with Ravindra Jadeja's performance during India's first Test against England. He highlighted Jadeja's failure to exploit the rough patches on the pitch, which could have turned the game in India's favor. Manjrekar emphasized the need for tactical awareness, especially from experienced players like Jadeja, who had the opportunity to make a significant impact. This critique raises questions about Jadeja's approach and the expectations placed on seasoned players in high-stakes matches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 25, 2025, 14:57 IST

Manjrekar's Observations on Jadeja's Performance

During the Match Centre Live on JioHotstar, Sanjay Manjrekar expressed disappointment in Ravindra Jadeja's performance, particularly after India's defeat in the first Test against England by 31 runs. He noted that Jadeja, an experienced player, should have capitalized on the rough patches of the pitch, which were evident.

Critical Remarks from Sanjay Manjrekar

Manjrekar stated, “While it’s important not to be harsh on younger players like Prasidh Krishna, I must be critical of Jadeja. The final-day pitch had rough areas that he could have exploited. Given his experience, we should expect more from him,” he remarked.

He further elaborated, “These conditions were not typical for England, where the pitch offers little assistance. I felt Jadeja did not utilize the rough enough, especially against Ben Duckett. Although he made some effort against Ben Stokes, it was only later in Duckett’s innings that he began to use the rough effectively,” Manjrekar added.

Manjrekar emphasized the need for tactical awareness when facing seasoned bowlers and batters, stating, “I found Jadeja's performance lacking. The seamers received no support from the pitch, yet Jadeja had some favorable conditions to work with.”