Wed Jan 29 12:47:28 UTC 2025: ## Rayudu Defends Pandya’s Innings, Questions Trust in Jurel After India’s Loss
**Rajkot, India** – Former Chennai Super Kings batsman Ambati Rayudu has defended Hardik Pandya’s performance in India’s 26-run loss to England in Rajkot, despite the all-rounder’s relatively slow strike rate of 114.29. While acknowledging the challenging batting conditions and the fall of wickets around him, Rayudu suggested Pandya could have shown more faith in his younger teammate, Dhruv Jurel, during the crucial final overs.
Pandya top-scored for India with 40 runs off 35 balls, but his innings was punctuated by dot balls, particularly in the middle overs. Although he attempted to accelerate towards the end, he was dismissed on the first ball of the 19th over, a crucial moment in the match.
Rayudu, speaking on Star Sports, highlighted a specific instance in the 18th over where Jurel looked to run a single, but Pandya declined, opting to retain the strike. This decision, according to Rayudu, backfired as it ultimately cost India valuable runs and momentum.
“He paced his innings well considering the difficult conditions and wickets falling,” Rayudu stated, “However, when the finishing touch was needed, he could have shown more trust in Dhruv Jurel.”
Rayudu believes that had Pandya allowed Jurel more involvement, India could have mounted a stronger challenge in the final stages of the chase. He emphasized Pandya’s ability to chase even substantial targets in the final over, suggesting that a more collaborative approach might have yielded a different result. Despite his critique, Rayudu praised Pandya’s measured approach under pressure.
First Piper 