At the end of the first Test against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad last week, India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja spoke about how he missed his long-time spin partner R Ashwin while bowling at one end. After all, it was the first home Test match for India without Ashwin since 2010.
Jadeja, adjudged Player of the Match for his century and four wickets in the innings victory, reflected on the times he bowled in tandem with Ashwin, making them one of the most potent forces of India’s Test dominance at home for over a decade.
“Obviously, we miss him. Ash has contributed so much to Indian cricket for so many years. He has been a match-winner. Playing a Test in India without Ash, somewhere it feels Ash would bowl now, but then the realisation comes that he is not there,” Jadeja said during the press conference after the first Test against West Indies.
‘He shouldn’t be missing me’
Reacting to Jadeja’s admission on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said the star left-arm spinner should not be missing him as his presence may have meant fewer additions to the former’s wickets column.
“If I was playing, I would have taken 2-3 wickets from the ones he took, so he should not be missing me. Jitna faayda hai utna lena chahiye (He should capitalise on whatever there is). He is becoming a bona fide legend of Test cricket, I am really happy for him,” Ashwin, who recorded a staggering 537 wickets in 106 Test appearances said.
‘He has no one to talk to now‘
Ashwin also added that the soon-to-be 37 Jadeja might be feeling slightly out of space with a transitioning side around him. “After hearing his comments, I know that he is showing affection, but more than anything else, I don’t think he has anyone to talk to now. All of them are new boys. There used to be small talk between us, and you reach a level of super seniority, you have to think before making small talk to the youngsters. He must be thinking whether the youngters would judge him, but if Ash was here he will not judge. When Puji retired, I felt the same, we used to sit together,” he added.
Jadeja has been in prolific form this season. After being part of the Champions Trophy victory in the UAE, Jadeja enjoyed a blockbuster England tour with the bat, recording over 500 runs with a century and four fifties.
