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India’s domination in the Edgbaston Test continued on Day 4 as Shubman Gill held the fort with another fluent knock, pushing the lead close to 470. After Rishabh Pant’s entertaining cameo powered a brisk scoring phase, India seemed poised for a swift declaration and a go at England. However, Ravindra Jadeja’s unexpectedly sedate approach after Pant’s dismissal has raised eyebrows, with fans and experts questioning the intent in the second session. With 40 overs remaining and a mammoth lead already in hand, India’s sluggish progress has slightly dimmed an otherwise commanding performance.
Ravindra Jadeja’s ultra-defensive batting draws backlash
As India’s lead ballooned past 460, Ravindra Jadeja’s go-slow approach had viewers scratching their heads. In a phase when aggression was expected, Jadeja managed only 12 runs off 42 balls, showing no urgency despite India’s position of strength. The contrast with Pant’s 65 off 58 balls made Jadeja’s method look even more puzzling. On social media, criticism was swift: fans called it “bizarre” and “ultra-defensive,” With 43 overs left in the day, several felt India should play 20 quick overs, score 140 more, and declare. Instead, the innings entered a lull. “Imagine if Pant was still batting – we’d be 550 ahead by now,” one fan wrote. Another tweeted, “Jadeja is tuk tuking with 450 on the board. Unbelievable!” The lack of attacking intent raised questions about game awareness and match control. Rather than push for a win, India seemed stuck, which baffled spectators. The innings lost momentum, and England were let off the hook , at least temporarily.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Ravindra Jadeja is tuk tuking with India 450 ahead and needing to push on with the game.
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog)
Jadeja has literally 0 game awareness and that’s why despite playing for so long never been in the running for captaincy of any teams , even CSK made him skipper for a few games and then gave up .
— Prantik (@Pran__07)
Jadeja ensuring we lose all the momentum gained by Pant.
He's learnt nothing from the last match. Was a huge reason for why we lost, abysmal performance in the second innings with the bat and ball and he's doing it again.
No cricketing brain whatsoever.— Pravir Singh (@Pravir21)
Ravindra Jadeja bro this isn't a CSK match
— Snehal 🕊️ (@Snehalsays_03)
trust jadeja to not understand the situation even after 15 yrs of cricket.
— ∆B ✨🎭 (@CaughtAtGully)
jadeja has zero match awareness inspite of playing cricket for 20 years
— firdous (@urbanmonnk)
claims to enjoy test cricket but has no patience to watch jadeja play this inning = red flag
— uncle mambo (@maiymbo)
Jadeja has to be one of the most irritating batters to watch (doesn't imply he's bad). You could be 1600/4 and he'd still come out and block his first 50 balls, try to smack the 51st, maybe connect and then go away for 27(55) having done nothing but taken time away from the game.
— Adarsh (@adarshisit)
Jadeja has been a great all rounder for India but his game awareness is zero in playing with tailenders and in situations like this.
— ansHU MOR (@anshuMor)
Funniest call ever to bat Nitish over Jadeja in the first innings and Jadeja over Nitish in the second innings.
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN)
Also WATCH: ENG vs IND: Josh Tongue uproots KL Rahul’s middle-stump with an absolute jaffa in Edgbaston Test
Shubman Gill’s authority and Rishabh Pant’s chaos combine to dismantle England
Gill and Pant produced a partnership that turned India’s second innings from consolidation to domination. Gill, leading from the front as captain, was elegant and efficient — finding boundaries with fluidity and dispatching poor balls with ruthless precision. His control over spin and pace alike stood out as he moved swiftly into the 90s, showing no signs of tentativeness. At the other end, Pant brought the chaos — audacious ramps, inside-out lofts, and fearless sweeps kept the scoreboard racing.
His 65 off just 58 deliveries rattled the English bowling unit, who looked bereft of answers to his unorthodox approach. Their 110-run stand in 92 balls was not just a statistical milestone but a strategic masterstroke that killed any lingering English hopes of a comeback. Gill provided the spine, Pant the spar, together, they dismantled England’s rhythm, drawing admiration for their synergy. Pant’s innings may have ended against the run of play, but by then, the damage was done. Gill remained unflustered, inching closer to another Test hundred with captaincy poise. Their alliance reminded all why Gill and Pant are now central figures in India’s red-ball resurgence.
Also WATCH: Rishabh Pant left in awe of Harry Brook’s unique stroke on Day 3 of ENG vs IND Edgbaston Test
