Indian cricketers R Ashwin and R Jadeja. (FILE)
Ravindra Jadeja revealed that he was indeed “shocked” after he got to know about R Ashwin’s retirement five minutes prior to the press conference, where he announced his retirement.
“I got to know about the retirement at the last moment. Five minutes before the press conference. It was shocking,” Jadeja told the reporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
“We spent the entire day together, and he didn’t even gave me the hint. We all know how Ashwin’s mind works (laughs),” he added
Jadeja and Ashwin has built one of the most formidable spin duo in the Test cricket. They played 58 Tests matches together and took 587 wickets between them, becoming the most successful bowling pair for India, going past the pair of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh – 501 wickets.
With now Ashwin’s retirement, Jadeja feels it has opened the gate for youngsters to grab the opportunity.
“We have been bowling partners for so many years. We kept complementing each other. We used to plan against the batters. I will miss so many things,” he said.
“Hopefully, someone better spin bowler and all-rounder will replace Ashwin.
“In India we always have good talents and it is not like anyone is irreplaceable. We will have to move on.
“It is a golden opportunity for any youngster to grab this opportunity.”
At the Gabba, Ravindra Jadeja scored a game-saving 77 and feels the knock has boosted his confidence and he will bat at MCG with the same mindset.
“Scoring outside when the team is in tough position, it gives you confidence,” he said.
“Mindset will be the same. You will have to play according to the match situation and I will play according to the team’s role.”
Jadeja didn’t the played the first two Tests in Perth and Adelaide but says it kind of helped him acclimatize to the Australian condition more.
“I didn’t played the first two match, it helped me practice more and I got more acclimatize to the condition. The hard work in the nets helped me in the match,” he said.
Jadeja says with series licked at 1-1, the Indian cricket team has a good opportunity to win the Border-Gavaskar Test series thrice in a row in Australia.
“We have a good chance to make it three in a row. One good effort and we can win the match and the series,” he said.
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