Jadeja's Inaccuracy Under Fire: Ex-India Pacer Slams Spinner's Tactics in England Test Loss

Former Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron has voiced strong criticism of Ravindra Jadeja's performance during the final day of the first Test against England at Headingley. Jadeja, a senior left-arm spinner for India, faced scrutiny for his lack of accuracy as England successfully chased a challenging target, securing a five-wicket victory and a 1-0 lead in the series.

Ravindra Jadeja faces criticism after the first Test match.

Speaking on Star Sports’ Follow the Blues, Aaron commented that Jadeja failed to capitalize on the rough patches of the fifth-day surface.

"Reviewing the footage of Jadeja bowling over the wicket, it's evident that he frequently missed the rough. His deliveries were either too short, too fast, or excessively full, often landing in the middle of the wicket rather than exploiting the rough," Aaron stated, highlighting Jadeja’s inability to consistently target areas that would trouble the batsmen.

Jadeja's final figures, recording 1 wicket for 104 runs in 24 overs, reflected a lack of control and effectiveness crucial for India during England’s run chase. Ben Duckett, in particular, found it easy to use the reverse sweep and disrupt Jadeja’s rhythm, as England confidently executed their aggressive strategy.

Aaron further criticized Jadeja’s failure to rise to the occasion, considering his extensive experience.

“Given his experience and proficiency in bowling into the rough, especially in Indian conditions where it's prevalent, and considering his numerous match-winning performances alongside Ravichandran Ashwin, one would expect him to exploit the rough on the fifth day and secure a historic victory for India," he added.

A video featuring a sports commentary.

This critique serves as a wake-up call for India’s bowling unit, which struggled to counter England’s aggressive approach. While Jadeja has often delivered in crucial moments, his lackluster performance at Leeds has ignited discussions about India’s bowling strategies, particularly in overseas conditions.

IND vs ENG Series Schedule:

• 1st Test: England v India, 20-24 June 2025, Headingley, Leeds – England won by 5 wickets
• 2nd Test: England v India, 2-6 July 2025, Edgbaston, Birmingham
• 3rd Test: England v India, 10-14 July 2025, Lord’s, London
• 4th Test: England v India, 23-27 July 2025, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
• 5th Test: England v India, 31 July-4 August 2025, Kia Oval, London