Cheteshwar Pujara has spoken out in defense of Ravindra Jadeja after criticism from several former Indian cricketers regarding his performance at Lord’s. Despite India’s narrow defeat to England in the third Test, Jadeja’s composed innings earned him praise from his teammates and recognition in the latest ICC Test Rankings.
Jadeja Rises After Gritty Knock
Ravindra Jadeja, who scored 72 in the first innings and remained unbeaten on 61 in the second, has climbed five spots to reach 34th among batters in the updated Test rankings. His resilient batting under pressure stood out as a key performance in India’s fightback at Lord’s, especially with wickets tumbling around him. Cheteshwar Pujara, responding to the backlash Jadeja received from a few former players, called the all-rounder’s knock “invaluable” in a challenging situation.
“People need to understand the match context. Jadeja was not just scoring runs; he was keeping India in the game. It was a top-quality knock against a quality attack,” Pujara remarked.
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KL Rahul Also Moves Up
Another Indian batter who gained from the Lord’s Test was KL Rahul. His century in the first innings and a steady 39 in the second helped him jump five positions to 35th, now sitting just behind Jadeja. Rahul’s consistency in the series has added depth to India’s top order.
However, other top Indian batters have seen a dip in their rankings. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant have each dropped a spot to fifth and eighth respectively, while captain Shubman Gill fell three places to ninth after failing to make a big score in the match.
Stokes Impresses with All-Round Show
England’s Ben Stokes, named Player of the Match for his 77 runs and five wickets, saw a boost in both departments. He climbed two spots to 42nd among Test batters and moved up one place to 45th among bowlers. His match-winning effort proved pivotal in England’s 22-run victory, which gave them a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Stokes’ performance was hailed by England fans and analysts alike for its grit and leadership. His presence with both bat and ball changed the momentum in key phases of the game.
Bumrah Holds Firm at the Top
While the batters’ list saw fluctuations, Jasprit Bumrah continues to dominate the bowlers’ chart. Retaining his No. 1 position, Bumrah remains the highest-ranked Test bowler in the world. His spells in the Lord’s Test further solidified his status as the leader of India’s pace attack.
Despite India losing the match, Bumrah’s control, pace, and consistency stood out. He has been instrumental throughout the series and remains a vital threat to England’s batters.
Looking Ahead
With two Tests remaining in the series, the rankings are likely to shift further depending on performances. The spotlight will remain on players like Jadeja and Rahul, who have stepped up under pressure. Meanwhile, the Indian team will look to regroup and respond strongly in the next match to level the series.
As debates continue over match tactics and individual contributions, the latest ICC rankings offer a statistical reflection of the players’ recent form and impact.
Cheteshwar Pujara’s strong backing of Ravindra Jadeja also highlights the unity within the Indian team amid external criticism. As the series progresses, team morale and individual performance will be crucial. India will count on experienced players to bounce back and shift momentum, especially with ICC Test Rankings and pride on the line.
Pujara’s support for Jadeja underlines team unity, aiming to silence critics as India looks to regain control in the series in england
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