Ravindra Jadeja Discusses Tensions with Ben Stokes During Edgbaston Test

In a recent match at Edgbaston, Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja opened up about a verbal clash with England's captain Ben Stokes. The exchange occurred during a tense second day of the Test, where Jadeja defended his actions against accusations of damaging the pitch. He emphasized that his focus was solely on batting and not on creating rough patches. Jadeja's performance, alongside captain Shubman Gill, contributed significantly to India's impressive total. Despite falling short of a century, Jadeja's innings showcased his skill and determination. Read on to discover more about the match dynamics and Jadeja's perspective.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 4, 2025, 02:29 IST

On-Field Tensions Between Jadeja and Stokes

During the second Test at Edgbaston, Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja shared insights about a verbal confrontation he had with England's captain, Ben Stokes, on the second day of play.

The match has seen an increase in competitive banter, with England players engaging in psychological tactics. Following a verbal exchange with Yashasvi Jaiswal on the first day, Stokes confronted Jadeja after Chris Woakes raised concerns with the umpires regarding Jadeja's bowling.

England's team accused Jadeja of damaging the pitch's danger area, suggesting his actions were intentional. Stokes pointed out to Jadeja, saying, 'Look what you have done, mate.'

In response, Jadeja defended his actions, stating, 'I was coming from here. I won’t bowl there anyway. Why would I do that? My focus is on batting.'

Jadeja elaborated on his exchange with Stokes, clarifying that he did not intend to create rough patches on the pitch. 'He thinks I am making it rough for myself. In reality, he was making it rougher with his fast bowlers. I didn’t mean to cause any issues. I ran around a bit, but that was not my intention. If we get another chance tomorrow, we will aim to bowl in good areas and perform our best,' Jadeja explained to reporters after the day's play.

Jadeja played a crucial role in a remarkable 203-run partnership with captain Shubman Gill, allowing Gill to showcase his skills against England's less experienced bowling attack.

Unfortunately, Jadeja's innings ended prematurely when he attempted to pull a fast delivery from Josh Tongue, resulting in a catch to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. He finished with a commendable score of 89 runs off 137 balls, contributing to India's formidable total of 587, bolstered by Gill's impressive 269.