Ace India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the batting credentials of fellow spinner and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja have gone one notch larger. The first Test towards Sri Lanka on the IS Bindra PCA Stadium was an out-and-out Jadeja present, making a career-best unbeaten 175 with the bat after which choosing a match haul of 9/87, together with a tenth five-wicket haul in Tests.
“I believe he has actually come alongside the way in which he has batted within the final four-five years. The quantity he’s batting is a bit low for my part. His batting has gone one notch larger. He is aware of what he’s doing and it displays in the way in which he’s batting” said Ashwin in the post-match chat with the broadcasters Star Sports.
Ashwin then explained the rationale behind giving the third spinner, offie Jayant Yadav, some overs on day three of the match.
“In between, we both realised that Jayant hasn’t bowled a lot and someone who is going to be the third spinner, Rohit also gave him a few overs. Sometimes it’s not that easy being the third spinner in the side and it’s important to look after him.”
“Jaddu (Jadeja) determined that he would hand over his overs and provides him a go from the tip the place there was help. And then I gave up my finish. Jaddu was magnanimous sufficient to surrender the ball first.”
Ashwin, apart from taking 2/49 and 4/47 in both innings, made a gorgeous 61 with the bat. Talking about his improved batting show, Ashwin remarked, “I had four weeks off. I wanted to contribute with the bat, stay positive, take one ball at a time. Sometimes I get ahead of myself with the bat but I have worked on things, was looking to take one ball at a time. I usually get ahead of myself with the bat sometimes, and I hope to contribute now.”
Ashwin, who throughout the match turned India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, surpassing Kapil Dev’s 434 wickets, signed off by praising the efforts of pacers Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.
“I assumed the floor was a reasonably good one. It was not simple to get batsmen out on the defensive. You can’t depart Shami and Jasprit out of issues both. They caught to their weapons, sustained strain, bowled their hearts out and reversed the ball to provide the follow-on.”
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