New Delhi: All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was “shocked” like everyone else when Ravichandran Ashwin announced his international retirement following the conclusion of the third Test between India and Australia at the Gabba. Jadeja revealed that he got to know about the off-spinner’s retirement just five minutes before the press conference, where Ashwin bid adieu to international cricket.
Jadeja and Ashwin formed one of the most formidable bowling partnerships in Tests. The duo played 58 Tests together, scalping 587 wickets between them.
The two spinners are also India’s most successful bowling pair, going past the pair of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh (501 wickets).
“I got to know about the retirement at the last moment, five minutes before the press conference. It was shocking. We spent the whole day together, and he didn’t even give me a hint. I got to know at the last minute. We all know how Ashwin’s mind works,” Jadeja told reporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday.
Ashwin ‘on-field mentor’ for Jadeja
Jadeja, who shared an exceptional camaraderie and bonding with Ashwin, labelled the latter his “on-field mentor”. However, the left-arm spinner feelsyoungsters should now look to take the opportunity after the retirement of Ashwin, who scalped 537 Test wickets.
