Former Australia captain Greg Chappell admired Ravindra Jadeja for staying calm under pressure during the final day of the third Test at Lord’s. However, he also pointed out that Jadeja should have taken more risks when batting with the tailenders.
Jadeja Played Smart, But Was It Enough?
Jadeja showed discipline as he shielded Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. He kept the strike and minimized chances of losing wickets. Still, Chappell questioned his approach. “On the surface, it was a disciplined innings. But was it the right one?” Chappell asked in his ESPNcricinfo column. According to Chappell, Jadeja needed to score boundaries to win the game. Taking singles wasn’t enough because there was little help from the other end.
Chappell Says Gill Should Have Stepped In
Chappell didn’t just criticize Jadeja. He also held India’s captain Shubman Gill responsible for not giving Jadeja clear instructions. “If India were to chase down the target, he had to take calculated risks… That clarity should have come from the dressing room, from the captain,” Chappell said. He explained that Gill needed to tell Jadeja: “You are the man who has to get this done. The tail’s job is to hang in there with you, but you must go for the win.”
Ben Stokes Comparison Highlights Missed Opportunity
To prove his point, Chappell compared Jadeja’s situation with Ben Stokes’ famous 2019 innings against Australia at Leeds. Stokes took risks, trusted himself, and delivered a match-winning knock. “He backed himself and produced one of the best innings of the past 50 years,” Chappell added. “Importantly, Stokes played knowing his team and leadership had his back.”
India Came Close But Fell Short
Jadeja batted nearly three hours with the tail. He stayed not out on 61 off 181 balls. Bumrah and Siraj tried to hang in, scoring 5 from 54 balls and 4 from 30, respectively. Even so, India lost by 22 runs, falling short of the 193-run target.
Gill Must Lead With Clarity and Vision
Chappell emphasized that Gill must improve his communication as captain. “Shubman Gill must start setting those expectations – clearly, proactively, and consistently,” he said.
He stressed that great captains inspire teams not only with their performance but also with clear direction and consistency. “The captain sets the tone – not just with words, but with actions, clarity of purpose, and visible standards.”
Communication Is Key to Building a Strong Team
Chappell urged Gill to develop clear and calm communication across situations—be it training, matches, or the dressing room. He advised Gill to align the team with a shared vision and build trust.
He concluded by encouraging India’s batters to play with a positive mindset. He said they must focus on building partnerships and converting starts into big scores. According to him, collapses often happen when set batters lose concentration.
