ENG vs IND 2025: Both Ravindra Jadeja and India were under pressure, he played a splendid knock: Irfan Pathan

India were reduced to 211 for 5 when Ravindra Jadeja made his way to the crease during the opening day of the second Test between England and India at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. Jadeja joined India skipper Shubman Gill at the crease. While the team was in some sort of trouble, the duo remained firm in the middle, playing risk free brand of cricket. Jadeja inched closer to yet another hundred at the venue, but fell short by 11 runs, as he departed for 89 off 137 balls.

Meanwhile, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan was left impressed with the way Jadeja showed his prowess with the bat. He went on to mention that the kind of shots the Saurashtra-born played on even pace and bounce of the wicket, but managed to get on top of the ball even if the conditions were not as favourable. Not to forget, there was the pressure of having lost half the side already, Pathan was satisfied the way he played.

"The shots he played off the back foot, especially the fours he hit between cover and mid-off, were difficult shots. You can lose your wicket playing those shots if the ball is slightly quicker or bounces more. However, he was trying to get on top of the ball. He couldn't do that when he got out because the ball was more towards the body. However, he didn't have any trouble whenever he got even slight width," Pathan told on Sony Sports.

"He just got an outside edge yesterday (on Day 1), when a four went between gully and slip, but the control he showed apart from that, and the knock he played was necessary for Ravindra Jadeja. Many people, including me, had spoken about his bowling on the fifth day, and it's not that the player isn't aware of the criticism. Both you and the team were under pressure, and you played a splendid knock," the former all-rounder added.

While his job with the bat is done, he will be trying to do an impressive job with the ball as well. The pitch is expected to offer assistance to the spinners, and the experience that Jadeja carried, he is expected to be among the wickets to put on display, his all-round prowess. England currently trail by 510 runs and India will aim for a lead before coming out to bat for the second time.