Indian team’s experienced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was unaware of former off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to retire from international cricket. Jadeja revealed that he learned about Ashwin’s retirement just five minutes before it was officially announced.
Jadeja mentioned that he and Ashwin were sitting together on the final day of the third Test, but Ashwin did not give any indication that he was planning to retire. Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test match against Australia in Brisbane.
While addressing a press conference during the Indian team’s first practice session in Melbourne, Jadeja shared his thoughts on Ashwin’s retirement.
Jadeja said, “I found out about it at the last minute. Just before Ashwin’s press conference, maybe five minutes earlier, someone informed me that Ashwin was going to retire. Naturally, I was surprised because we had been sitting together the whole day, and he didn’t give me any hint. I got to know only at the end. But we all know how Ashwin’s mind works.”
Jadeja Says – The Team Must Move Forward
Ashwin’s retirement shocked the cricketing world, but Jadeja believes the team must move forward and ensure that the young players replacing Ashwin gain as much experience as possible.
Jadeja stated, “We have to move forward. In India, it’s not like there aren’t any replacements for a player. Everyone knows that someone will come in and take his place. It’s a great opportunity for the youngsters coming into the team to prove themselves at this level.”
Three Spinners Featured in Three Tests
India used three different spinners in the first three Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Washington Sundar played as the lone spinner in the Perth Test, while Ashwin was included in the playing XI for the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. In the third Test, Jadeja replaced Ashwin.
Making his comeback, Jadeja performed well in the Gabba Test, scoring 77 runs in the first innings.
Jadeja said, “I didn’t get a chance to play in the first two Tests, but that allowed me to practice more and adapt to these conditions. Throughout this period, I kept observing the conditions and worked on my batting and bowling. This preparation helped me perform well in the match.”