 "Ashwin has sent a message to Jadeja after the latter said he misses him. Image: Reuters")
Ravindra Jadeja has become the senior player of the Indian Test team as many of his teammates from the past decade have stepped down. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin - the three stalwarts of Indian cricket over the past 10-12 years have already retired, and Jadeja is the only senior player left in this Shubman Gill-led side.
However, Jadeja is still performing well at a high level. In India’s big win over West Indies in the first Test, he scored another century and took 4 wickets, proving he is still one of India’s most valuable all-rounders. Despite his strong form, Jadeja had said he misses playing alongside Ashwin, the spinner he used to form a deadly duo with for India.
Ashwin’s message for Jadeja
Ashwin, on the other hand, took it lightly and joked about Jadeja’s comment. The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer praised Jadeja for continuing to perform at a high level in his 30s. Ashwin also mentioned that being the last player from the old group comes with its challenges.
“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 bonafide legend of Test cricket,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
“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?” he added.
“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,” Ashwin said.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsJadeja will next be seen during the second Test against West Indies in New Delhi, starting October 10. India have already taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match contest and will look to win the second Test to hand another whitewash to the Caribbean side.