Ravindra Jadeja revealed breaking BCCI’s SOP on Day 2 of the second Test at Edgbaston. He arrived on the ground independently rather than with the team bus to secure extra batting practice before resuming his innings. The 36-year-old veteran player violated newly implemented BCCI guidelines that mandate all players travel together on the team bus to and from match venues.

The BCCI has implemented this SOP after a disappointing series loss against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The board had ordered that players should not travel alone, emphasizing group movement to maintain discipline and team cohesion. However, he will most likely escape from any penalties after an impressive 89-run knock off 136 balls and a 203-run partnership with Shubman Gill. His partnership with captain Gill elevated India to a commanding 587.

"Somewhere I felt that I should go and bat extra because the ball was still new," Jadeja explained during the post-day press conference. "I felt if I can see the new ball off, it would become easy for the rest of the innings. The more you bat in England, the better it is because you never feel you are set in England. At any time a ball can swing and take your edge or bowl you."

At the press conference, he was also asked about England assistant coach Jeetan Patel's confident remarks regarding their winning chances. He boldly replied, "In cricket, in press conferences, you can talk whatever you want to talk. It's none of my business, but at the end of the day, you have to go out and perform and take those 20 wickets."

Also, he praised his new captain: "Honestly, he looks very confident. He does not look like a captain in batting. When we were batting together, we were talking about partnership." When he was asked about his ambition for the captaincy, he just laughed and said, "No, that time is gone now."

The day also featured a notable exchange between Jadeja and England captain Ben Stokes regarding pitch management. Stokes, supported by Chris Woakes, complained to umpires that Jadeja was deliberately creating rough patches while running between wickets. Jadeja dismissed these concerns with characteristic directness: "He felt I was making rough for myself. The fast bowlers were doing it anyway. I don't need to do that. He was repeatedly telling the umpire that I was running on the wicket. I had no such intention." When confronted on-field, Jadeja's response was pointed: "Why would I do that? My focus is on batting. I won't bowl there anyway."