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Ravindra Jadeja called Ashwin his ‘on-field mentor’ but said India needs to move on and back a youngster to take his place.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Ravindra Jadeja got to know about Ravichandran Ashwin’s international retirement about five minutes before the latter announced it to the media. The all-rounder, speaking to reporters ahead of the fourth Test between India and Australia, said he was shocked when he got to know about it because Ashwin sat with him all day but ‘didn’t even give a hint’.
Ashwin and Jadeja played 58 Tests together, picking 587 wickets in the partnership. It’s the most prolific spin partnership in Indian history and one of the most decorated in the world. The duo laid the foundations for India’s 12-year-long home Test series-winning streak.
“I got to know about Ashwin’s retirement at the last moment,” Jadeja said. “Someone told me 5 minutes before his press conference. So obviously I felt [shocked] because we sat together all day and he didn’t even give a hint. But everyone knows Ashwin and how his mind works!”
Asked about the change in responsibilities and mindset after his senior partner’s departure, Jadeja said his role won’t change much in the remaining two Tests of the ongoing series. He said in overseas conditions he’ll continue to play the supporting role assigned to him but added that when he gets back to playing Tests in India, his responsibility will increase.
The 36-year-old also admitted that Ashwin was an ‘on-field mentor’ to him but said it was time for India to move on and back a youngster to take his place.
“He was like an on-field mentor,” Jadeja said. “For so many years, we passed on messages to each other on the ground, what’s the match situation, what the batsman is trying to do, what we can plan against him. I’ll obviously miss so many of these things. But it’s now about Indian cricket getting another good bowler or all-rounder for him. It’s not like India doesn’t have anyone to take his place. Obviously, whoever goes, there’s someone to replace him. So, we have to move on. But it’s also a good opportunity for a youngster to play for India and prove himself at this level.”
India will play Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground starting on Boxing Day, December 26.
- Location :
Brisbane, Australia
