We miss Ashwin, but there is opportunity for youngsters, says Ravindra Jadeja

Ravichandran Ashwin being greeted by Ravindra Jadeja. File photo
| Photo Credit: PTI

After a long stint at the nets followed by a workout in the gym, Ravindra Jadeja gulped a beverage and had a tiny bite of a savoury to fortify himself. He then walked towards the assembled media personnel on the fringes of the Melbourne Cricket Ground’s turf.

Also read:Ashwin’s wife pens heartfelt tribute after his sudden retirement

It was a Saturday (December 21, 2024) afternoon of clear skies, rustling wind and birdsong from mynahs. Understandably the first question was about his just-retired senior ally R. Ashwin, and the all-rounder replied: “Obviously he was a mentor on the field. We have been passing messages to each other for so many years. What is the match situation, how is the batter reacting, what can we plan against him and so on. Yes, will miss him. But this situation also presents an opportunity for a youngster to step up and perform.”

But was he aware of the retirement? “Through the day we were talking but I never knew. I got to know about it at the last moment when he went for the press conference. I got to know some five minutes before that as someone told me. He didn’t give any hint. Well that’s Ashwin, only he knows what’s in his head,” Jadeja said with a bemused smile.

‘My responsibility as a spinner is more’

Asked for a self-appraisal following his performance in the third Test at Brisbane, that included a none for 95 with the ball and a solid 77 with the bat, Jadeja had his response in order: “If I make runs for the team, then it gives me good satisfaction. And as a player, my confidence will be high. In the upcoming matches, I will try to continue this momentum. Whether batting or bowling, I have to react to the situation of the match.”

Queried about his responsibility as a player, Jadeja said: “My role in the latest match will be the same as my last match. But yes if we are playing in India, my responsibility as a spinner is more. I didn’t get to play the first two Tests here but I practised during that break, learnt about the conditions. I then tried to implement what I learnt in the match. Rohit (Sharma) told me a day before that I am playing the third Test.”

With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series level at 1-1, Jadeja reflected on a roller-coaster sojourn Down Under: “The good thing is after three matches, we are 1-1 in this series, and the two remaining games will be interesting.” 

And when probed about his batting colleagues up the order, he added: “When we play in Australia and South Africa, for instance, it is important that we have runs from the top-order, and if that doesn’t happen then there is pressure and more responsibility on the lower-order. But if all of us together score runs then we will be in a good position.”

He then left to join his teammates in the bus. With 3312 runs and 319 wickets in Tests, the 36-year-old has a bigger responsibility now following Ashwin’s departure. And Jadeja knows that.