Ganguly Reflects on Lord’s Defeat, Hails Jadeja’s Fightback and Predicts Strong Test Future
NEW DELHI: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed his disappointment over India’s narrow defeat in the third Test against England at Lord’s, a match that saw the visitors come agonizingly close to victory. Despite the loss, Ganguly praised the resilience shown by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and predicted a strong future for him in Test cricket.
India, chasing a modest target of 193, collapsed to 82/7 before Jadeja mounted a determined resistance. With support from Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj, Jadeja guided India close to the finish line. However, the team fell short by 22 runs, handing England a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The final wicket fell in heartbreaking fashion as Siraj was bowled, ending a tense partnership that added just nine runs off 84 deliveries.
Speaking at a press event during the Indian Racing Festival (IRF) Driver Draft for the 2025 season, Ganguly admitted that the loss was a tough pill to swallow, especially considering India’s overall batting strength. “They should have got this 190,” he said. “When you saw Jadeja guts it out and fight and score the runs, the batting quality in this team is absolutely brilliant. I think they will be more disappointed than I am because it was a real opportunity to go 2-1 up in the series.”
Ganguly’s remarks highlight both the depth and fragility in India’s batting lineup. While the middle order struggled, Jadeja’s composed 71 under pressure reaffirmed his value in red-ball cricket, not just as a bowler but as a dependable lower-order batter.
The former captain’s praise for Jadeja comes at a time when the team is navigating a transitional phase, with several young players stepping up. His confidence in Jadeja’s Test future suggests that the seasoned all-rounder remains central to India’s long-format plans.
As the series heads toward its final two Tests, India will look to regroup and capitalize on the positives—chief among them, Jadeja’s fighting spirit, which Ganguly believes is key to turning the series around.
