England vs India: Defending is not My Game, Says Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja threw caution to the wind to blast his maiden half-century in Tests as India took a strong hold of the second Test against England at Lord's on Sunday - the penultimate day. The Saurashtra all-rounder, who had played a gutsy knock in a crunch situation, later said defending was never part of his plans when he walked in to bat with India tottering at 203/6.

With the tourists in trouble early on Day 4, Jadeja walked in at number eight and slammed a 57-ball 68, adding 99 for the eighth with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (52), before striking with his first ball to remove opener Sam Robson as England were faced with a chase of 319 on a wearing pitch.

The 25-year-old, who had failed to score a half-century in nine Test matches before this, had often faced sharp criticism for his lack of contribution with the bat, but on Sunday, Jadeja was in a different zone with the Test quickly slipping out of India's hands.

Stuart Binny, playing his second Test, got out to a poor shot but that did not stop Jadeja from playing some audacious strokes against England's pacers in overcast conditions. Speaking later, Jadeja said he had decided to play his natural game even before stepping out on the field.

"I just wanted to play my game, no matter what the situation was. My plan was to play my shots, irrespective of who the bowler was. Defending would not have worked because that's not my game. I kept talking to myself when I went in to bat," Jadeja said.

England need another 214 runs to win on the final day and with six wickets in hand, it might look like an open game. But Jadeja reiterated that the surface was deteriorating and it would be a stiff task for the hosts to get home.

"There are footmarks for the left-handers and the odd ball is bouncing. England will find it difficult on Monday."

Indian captain MS Dhoni was at his innovative best with Jadeja in the attack, standing far back, besides employing what was a gully for a medium pacer. The left-arm spinner explained the rationale behind the move.

"MS asked me if he should stand far back and suggested I bowled as fast as I could. There were two left-handers (Alastair Cook and Gary Ballance) and with the footmarks, it almost worked."

When asked if India will wrap up only their second win at Lord's (the first had come in 1986, two years before Jadeja was born), Jadeja smiled wryly and promised to deliver history.