India are aiming to bounce back from their defeat at Headingley in the Edgbaston Test. India are in control of the ongoing Test series against England. The visitors have a big capital of 587 runs in the first innings, riding on captain Shubman Gill’s 269 runs. Meanwhile, there is a controversy over Ravindra Jadeja’s controversial 89 runs. English pacer Chris Woakes has expressed his anger over this.
Basically, there are rules prohibiting batters from running through the ‘danger zone’ area. India has been punished before for violating Jadeja’s rule. This time too, he got involved in the same controversy, for which the Indian star was also warned by on-field umpire Sharfuddaula Ibn Shaheed Saikat. If the same incident was repeated in the match, the umpire would have considered it as ‘deliberate or unavoidable damage’ according to ICC rules and fined India 5 runs.
The incident happened in the second over of the second day of the Edgbaston Test. Jadeja ran along the pitch along the stumps in an attempt to score a quick run off a bowling ball by Oakes. However, he did not complete the run after seeing that there was a risk of runout. Bangladeshi umpire Saikat warned him about it by walking a little before the next ball was delivered. The area along the middle of the wicket is marked as a ‘danger zone’ for batsmen to score runs. Even after the warning, the specific team has to pay a penalty if they run through that area.
At the end of the same over, Woakes again leveled the same accusation against Jadeja. At this time, English captain Ben Stokes also joined him. He said to the Indian star all-rounder, “Look (pointing with his finger), what have you done.” In response, Jadeja argued in his defense, saying, “But I came from this side (outside the center wicket). I’m not saying I’m going that way. Why would I do that? My full attention is on batting.”
The issue was raised with Jadeja at the post-match press conference. In response, the star said, “They (Woakes-Stokes) thought I was making my job difficult. The pacers are doing it anyway, I don’t need to do it. He kept telling the umpire that I was running over the wicket. I didn’t mean to. Maybe I might have done it once or twice by mistake, but it wasn’t intentional.”
Earlier, in 2016-17, in a match against New Zealand in Indore, India, Jadeja was fined 5 runs by the hosts for running through the danger zone. At the same time, he was fined 50 percent of his match fee and given three demerit points. Apart from this, Jadeja was also accused of missing a run-out in the 2024 IPL for running into the stumps. If the umpire wanted, he could have been given out for ‘obstructing the field’.
FAQ
What is the “danger zone” in cricket?
The “danger zone” refers to the area on the cricket pitch, usually near the batsman or around the crease, where running or positioning can be risky or against the rules, often related to player safety or conduct.
What exactly did Ravindra Jadeja do in the Edgbaston Test?
Jadeja was seen repeatedly running through or entering the “danger zone” during the match, which raised concerns about safety and fair play.
Why is running through the danger zone controversial?
It can be dangerous for other players and might break cricketing regulations or spirit. Repeated offenses may lead to warnings or penalties.
Has Jadeja been warned or penalized for this behavior?
As of now, it’s unclear if Jadeja received an official warning or penalty, but the controversy has sparked debate among fans, experts, and officials.
How did the opposing team react to Jadeja’s actions?
The opposing players and coaching staff expressed concern and called for stricter enforcement of the rules to ensure player safety.