Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has launched a scathing attack on all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja following India’s five-wicket loss against England in the first Test in Leeds.Jadeja scored 11 and an unbeaten 25 with the bat, but it was his bowling that proved to be the biggest letdown, as he managed to take only one wicket in the match.“Funnily enough, the pitch didn’t offer any lateral movement to India’s seam bowlers. Even Bumrah couldn’t get anything out of the surface. Nothing in the air as well,” Manjrekar said on Star Sports.
“Plus, the fact that Ben Duckett is tremendous against Bumrah and has one of the best records against him — and against Jadeja.“I don’t think he’s ever been dismissed by Jadeja, and he has faced him at home as well. So when you have an English batter who is very good against two of your frontline bowlers, then you’re set for a win.”Manjrekar defended Prasidh Krishna, who leaked runs at an economy rate of 6.50 in both innings.“See, it’s not fair to be critical of the younger players like Prasidh Krishna. There are obvious areas of improvement, but I’m going to be critical of Jadeja because this was a final-day pitch.
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“There was rough for him to work with. And in the end — yes, there were a couple of chances — but we have to expect more from Jadeja.“These are not typical English conditions. This isn’t a pitch that offers nothing. I thought he didn’t use the rough effectively enough against Ben Stokes. He did later, but against Ben Duckett, it came very late in the innings. From experienced bowlers and against experienced batsmen, you expect more.“And somewhere, I think Jadeja was disappointing, because the seamers had nothing in the pitch for them — but at least Jadeja had something,” he added.
