Ravichandran Ashwin will certainly go down in Indian Test history as one of their finest spinners. Ashwin has taken 489 wickets in 94 Tests and is ninth on the list of all-time leading wicket-taker in the format’s history.
Ashwin’s career has coincided with that of allrounder Ravindra Jadeja, a spinner known for his pinpoint accuracy.
Together, these two have combined to fire India to several memorable wins, forming a successful partnership that has seen them accumulate 500 wickets in the 49 Tests they have played together.
Both Ashwin and Jadeja are more than useful batters as well.
Ashwin, the senior of the two, though has played more Tests and boasts of a better record than his teammate.
However, Ashwin says he’s been envious of Jadeja because the latter has the ability to deliver without overthinking which is a stark contrast to his own style of play.
“One person that I am always envious of, I am not a jealous person, but I’m very envious of this one person, not anybody else. The greatest cricketer at this point of time, the most sellable cricket of the most attractive cricketer today is Virat Kohli. However, the most envious I am of one cricketer is Ravindra Jadeja,” Ashwin said on Sportstar.
“Ravindra Jadeja’s journey and my journey are extremely contrasting. Ravindra Jadeja can put a ball on the same spot day in and day out be extremely athletic on field and keep it extremely simple with the bat and be a million dollars on most days. I cannot do that,” he added.
Ashwin says there’s been a constant tussle between the two to prove who is better but the reality is one cannot exist in the absence of other.
“For some reason, I couldn’t express this to him for a long time. But I found a way to express this to him. I think there is a constant tussle, even between us, about who’s even better than the other. But the fact is we don’t exist without one another,” the 37-year-old said.
“Without Jadeja there is no Ashwin, without Ashwin, there is no Jadeja but it doesn’t take away from the fact that he is extremely good at keeping it very simple and not overthinking it. I cannot put the ball the same spot or bat like how I do if I don’t be curious and if I don’t overthink. He cannot be who he is if he is constantly overthinking it. So this is a classic case of people plying similar trades and finding success in their own ways,” he added.
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