Ravindra Jadeja, one of India’s most experienced Test players, brushed off suggestions about his ambitions for captaincy with a cheeky response. After a solid 89-run knock on Day 2 of the second Test against England at Edgbaston, Jadeja was asked if leading India in Tests was ever on his mind. Smiling, he simply said, “No, that time is gone now.”
Despite being a senior figure in the side, the selectors opted for Shubman Gill as captain after Rohit Sharma stepped down. Jadeja, however, played a crucial supporting role with the bat, forging a 203-run partnership with Gill to help India reach a massive 587 in the first innings.
Praising Gill’s composure, Jadeja said, “Honestly, he looks very confident. He does not look like a captain in batting. He has been given an extra responsibility, but he is handling it very well.” Jadeja added that while batting together, their focus was on building a long partnership and supporting each other.
Jadeja’s innings ended when he was caught behind off a sharp short ball from Josh Tongue. After his dismissal, Gill and Washington Sundar added 144 more runs, with Gill eventually scoring a marathon 269.
England struggled in reply, reaching 77/3 at stumps. Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj made early breakthroughs to put India on top. Joe Root and Harry Brook held the innings together with an unbeaten 52-run stand.
Looking ahead to Day 3, Jadeja shared India’s strategy, saying, “We are not thinking too far ahead. If we take two or three quick wickets before lunch, we will be in a strong position. But we won’t take the game lightly. Big partnerships have happened before.”
India will aim to push further ahead as they look to level the series.