The intensity of the India vs England 2nd Test at Edgbaston soared on Day 2, not just because of the on-field competition but also due to a heated altercation between England captain Ben Stokes and Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Stokes accused Jadeja of deliberately scuffing the pitch, suggesting foul play in creating rough patches that could potentially aid spin bowling later in the match.
🔥 What Exactly Happened Between Jadeja and Stokes?
As the match progressed on Day 2, England pacer Chris Woakes raised concerns to the umpires, alleging that Jadeja was running onto the “danger area” of the pitch. This prompted Stokes to confront Jadeja, saying, “Look what you have done, mate.”
Stokes’ accusation hinted at suspicions that Jadeja was intentionally creating rough patches on the pitch to later benefit from them while bowling — a claim that sparked immediate tension between the two sides.
🎙️ Jadeja’s Calm Yet Firm Response
Ravindra Jadeja dismissed the allegation, stating clearly that damaging the pitch was never his intention.
“But I was coming from here. I won’t bowl there anyway. Why would I do that? My focus is on batting.”
“He kept telling the umpire that I was running on the wicket. But that wasn’t in my mind. I was just playing normally. If we get a chance tomorrow, we’ll focus on bowling in good areas.”
Jadeja added that it was actually England’s use of fast bowlers that was contributing more to the rough areas on the surface — a natural part of the game in long-format matches.

🧠 The Bigger Picture
Verbal clashes like this are not new in Test match cricket, especially in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia), where playing conditions are often challenging and mind games become part of the strategy.
This isn’t the first time England have engaged in verbal exchanges during the match — Yashasvi Jaiswal was also on the receiving end of comments from Stokes on Day 1. The current England side is known for its aggressive style, but Team India, led by experienced players like Jadeja, has shown composure.
📊 Why the Pitch Matters in Test Cricket
In Test cricket, the condition of the pitch plays a critical role in how the game unfolds. Rough patches can dramatically impact the turn and bounce for spinners, especially in the fourth innings. Any attempt to intentionally affect the pitch is taken seriously by match officials.
The umpires monitored Jadeja’s movements carefully, but no official warning or penalty was issued, indicating that the situation remained under control — though not without drama.

📺 Where to Watch India vs England Test Series
For fans following the ENG vs IND series, you can catch the action live on:
- TV: Star Sports Network
- Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar
- Live Scores: ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz
Just search for “today match score” or “India vs England 2nd Test score” for ball-by-ball updates.
🏁 Final Word
The Jadeja-Stokes episode adds another layer of drama to an already tense and closely fought Test match. While Stokes may have tried to rattle Jadeja with his accusation, the Indian all-rounder remained composed and let his performance do the talking.
Incidents like these underline why Test cricket remains the ultimate test of skill, patience, and mental strength — whether it’s achieving the highest test runs in an innings or navigating tricky on-field mind games.
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