Senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has addressed whether he feels envious of Ravindra Jadeja occupying the spin-bowling all-rounder position when India plays Test matches abroad. Typically, India selects only one spin option for overseas Tests.
At such moments, Jadeja regularly earns a place in the XI as opposed to Ashwin. In spite of having been the No. 1 Test bowler in the world according to ICC rankings, Ashwin has occasionally been excluded from the playing XI by team management. When asked whether he felt envious that Jadeja occupies that position during an interview on YouTube with Vimal Kumar, Ashwin replied:
“It’s not Jadeja’s fault that I’m not playing. I don’t have the kind of jealousy where I would wish to keep him out just to play myself. The notion of jealousy is a conditioning we need to overcome.”
He also commented that attributing a player’s non-selection to politics was misguided, emphasizing that the focus should be on honesty and self-improvement.
Ravindra Jadeja is the most skillful cricketer I have ever encountered: Ravichandran Ashwin
In the same interview, Ashwin lauded Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round abilities and described him as the most talented cricketer he has ever seen.
Explaining why he thinks so, Ashwin further added:
“Jadeja is the most talented cricketer I’ve seen; everything about him is natural.”
Finally, the Indian off-spinner noted that their professional relationship has greatly improved since they recognized their differing strengths and weaknesses.
“I tend to think a lot, whereas he does not. Understanding took time, but now we have a strong working relationship,” Ashwin concluded.
Ashwin and Jadeja are set to return to Test cricket this month as India faces Bangladesh in a two-match WTC series. The opening Test is scheduled to begin on September 19 in Chennai.
