Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 20 (ANI): India’s seasoned spinner Ravichandran Ashwin lavished praise on his teammate Ravindra Jadeja, expressing a deep sense of admiration and envy for the all-rounder.

The first two days of the Test match between India and Bangladesh witnessed a dramatic ebb and flow. Bangladesh initially put India on the back foot by reducing them to 144-6, hinting at an early end to India’s innings. However, the experienced pair of Ashwin and Jadeja showcased their resilience and skill by forging a crucial 199-run partnership, effectively turning the tide.

Reflecting on this partnership, Ashwin spoke highly of Jadeja during the post-day press conference. He highlighted their mutual respect and the natural evolution of their cricketing synergy. “Our partnership wasn’t planned; it just happened. Jaddu is one cricketer who has evolved tremendously over time. I always envy him, and I’ve made that clear,” Ashwin remarked.

On a relatively benign pitch, Ashwin took charge of accumulating runs, while Jadeja provided steadfast support from the other end. Ashwin’s rapid 113-run innings on his home ground, complemented by Jadeja’s composed 86, alleviated the pressure on India. Ashwin shared insights into their on-field conversations, noting how Jadeja’s simplicity and consistency have been a source of inspiration.

“He is incredibly gifted and talented. Jaddu has mastered the art of maximizing his potential, keeping things simple, and delivering consistently. While I admire him, I am also content being myself. Watching him bat over the past few years has given me new perspectives on improving my game. We’ve grown together and achieved remarkable feats. Our mutual appreciation for each other’s success has never been higher,” Ashwin added.

While Ashwin celebrated a hard-earned century, Jadeja fell just 14 runs short of his fifth Test century when Taskin Ahmed induced a healthy edge from his bat. Despite this setback, Jadeja’s contribution was significant both with the bat and ball.

With the ball in hand, Jadeja continued to shine. Although the pitch offered little assistance, he managed to outfox seasoned batsmen like Litton Das and Shakib Al Hasan. Jadeja added two crucial wickets to his tally, bringing his total to 296 Test wickets, just four shy of the coveted 300-wicket milestone.

India’s robust total of 376 runs left Bangladesh reeling as they were bundled out for a mere 14 runs in response to India’s formidable bowling attack. By the end of the second day, India had established a commanding 308-run lead, setting the stage for potential victory.

Ashwin’s commendable performance with both bat and ball, combined with Jadeja’s all-round prowess, underscored their significance in India’s cricketing arsenal. As India looks forward to building on this momentum, the synergy between Ashwin and Jadeja continues to be a cornerstone of their success.