Ravi Shastri, the former Indian cricketer and current head coach, had nothing but praise for Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, claiming they are two of the greatest spinners to play the game. India has never lost a Test series on home soil whenever the duo have played together – a testament to how formidable they have been in their home conditions. As if that wasn’t enough, both players show no signs of slowing down as they continue to improve over time. Their added strength as batsmen allows them to be match-winning game-changers. Terming Ashwin as a favorite to get into the all-time playing XI, Ravi Shastri said:
“I never compare eras, but the record that he (Ashwin) has – especially in Indian conditions – would make him a favourite to get into that (all-time XI) squad. In Indian conditions he’s something else. I mean, you’ve seen some great spinners in the past. He’s right up there. And the fact that he can get you runs at crucial stages makes all the difference.”
Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja make the perfect duo to dominate the opposition. Jadeja’s expertise with the ball and the right conditions make him nearly unstoppable. Shastri made it clear that the left-arm all-rounder is a significant obstacle for batters when he is in top form, saying: “He (Jadeja) will start to get the credit (he deserves) now. There’s no question about it. The last year, year-and-a-half, he’s been outstanding because he’s realized his potential. He gives you nothing, and it’s a nightmare (for opposition batters). Especially if you’re not in good form and you are in the opposition as a batsman, you’ll have nightmares. You’ll have Jadeja in your dreams because the guy gives you nothing.”
Shastri continued: “If it’s a track where the ball is up and down, he can be even more dangerous than Ashwin. Ashwin anyway has the guy (with his) skill. But here, this guy (Jadeja) can have you on edge because one ball will skip through, one ball will turn, and he gives you nothing. His accuracy is so good that there are hardly any loose balls on offer.”
“He is just a fabulous cricketer” – Ravi Shastri on Ravindra Jadeja
During his time as coach of the Indian cricket team, Ravi Shastri saw the progression of Ravindra Jadeja as a cricketer. Not merely content with being a helpful bat, the left-arm all-rounder kept refining his bowling in all formats. When asked why the management opted to elevate him, Shastri remarked: “People, and he himself, didn’t actually realise how good a player he was until he actually got a couple of big scores in Test matches. I remember we pushed him up the order as well to give him that responsibility and he has not looked back. When you see his technique, he plays the ball late, he plays in straight lines and he is just a fabulous cricketer.”
