Follow UsWhile former teammates like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ishant Sharma, and Ajinkya Rahane have either retired or are no longer part of the Indian Test squad, Ravindra Jadeja seems to be in the form of his life, even at 36 years old.
The Saurashtra spin-bowling all-rounder recently produced a record-breaking series in England, amassing 516 runs at an average of 86, including one century and five fifties. The left-arm spinner also claimed seven wickets in testing conditions, demonstrating his all-round prowess. With Rishabh Pant injured, Jadeja was named India’s vice-captain for the two-match home Test series against the West Indies, and he made an immediate impact.
In the first Test in Ahmedabad, Jadeja slammed an unbeaten 104* and then picked up four wickets, earning Player of the Match award. After the match, Jadeja mentioned that he misses his long-time spin partner Ashwin, prompting a witty reply from the veteran off-spinner.
“Usne jo wicket liye hain, usmein se mein 2-3 nikaal leta [the wickets he has taken, I would have gotten 2-3 out of those]. He shouldn’t be missing me. What advantage is there, he should be taking. Really happy for him, the way he is batting, the way he is becoming a bona fide legend of Test cricket,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Putting jokes aside, Ashwin expressed genuine affection for Jadeja and said he understands why the all-rounder misses him.
“After listening to Jadeja, I know he was showing his affection for me. More than anything else, I think he doesn’t have too many people to talk to. All the new boys now. The small-small talk between us, we can have when we reach a position of super-seniority, but you have to think before doing it with the newer boys. If I say this to him, how will he judge me?
"Happened to me when Pujji retired as well, we sit together and talk about something, you miss that person. I know what Jadeja was saying, but we will meet and talk sometime.”