The veteran Indian spinner, R Ashwin heaped praise on fellow Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja for giving him “enough freedom to be creative”. On Monday, March 13, Jadeja and Ashwin were named the joint Player of the Series after India registered a win in the four-match Test series against Australia 2-1. Ashwin and Jadeja were the two leading wicket-takers of the series with a combined tally of 27 wickets with four five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul.

Both also played some handy knocks with the bat, helping the Indian team retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The 36-year-old Ashwin also lauded Jadeja for his performance in the Delhi Test that India won by six wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

ALSO READ: Dinesh Karthik Feels Shubman Gill Should Play The WTC Final Against Australia

During a chat in the post-match presentation, ceremony, R Ashwin said, “It’s been a great journey together. We wouldn’t be the same without the other. He gives me a lot of freedom to be creative on the field with the ball. Credit to him. I thought he bowled beautifully in the Delhi Test. That’s why we’re here.”

On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja was of the opinion that he didn’t perform with the bat as well as he expected before the start of the series. The southpaw scored 135 runs from four matches at an average of 27 with a top score of 70 at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur.

ALSO READ: Michael Kasprowicz Feels Australia Made Bad Selection Calls For The Ahmedabad Test

Elaborating the same, Ravindra Jadeja said, “We’re always talking about the wicket, what field we should have to particular batters. We’re always talking and discussing. I’m not happy with my batting in the series. I missed on a few occasions. Especially in this game. Hopefully I’ll work harder and more focussed on my batting for the next series.”

After losing the first two Tests, Australia came back with a win at Holkar Stadium in Indore. But the hosts held on for a draw to claim the series.