India’s cricketing legacy is rich with legendary spin bowling duos, and among them, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have solidified their place in history. Both rank among the top 10 wicket-takers for India, with Ashwin sitting just behind the iconic Anil Kumble and Jadeja surpassing the great Bishen Singh Bedi. Their dominance in Indian conditions is well-known, often turning matches in India’s favour.
However, when it comes to overseas Tests, the team faces a tough decision on which of the two to include, and more often than not, it’s Ravichandran Ashwin who finds himself left out. In a recent interview, when asked about handling this situation, Ashwin responded sharply, stating, “You are talking about jealousy,” before delving into the complexities of people’s perceptions when one player is favoured over another.
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Ravichandran Ashwin was quick to praise Jadeja’s immense talent, highlighting his natural abilities across all aspects of the game—bowling, batting, and fielding. “Jadeja is the most talented cricketer I’ve seen; everything about him is natural. Over the years, our relationship has improved as we’ve learned to understand each other’s differences,” Ashwin remarked. He pointed out their contrasting approaches, saying, “I tend to think a lot, whereas he does not. Understanding took time, but now we have a strong working relationship.”
Dispelling any notion of jealousy, Ravichandran Ashwin emphasized that Jadeja’s success is not to blame for his own exclusion from certain matches.
“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 stated. Ravichandran Ashwin explained that such feelings are more about perception than reality, urging people to move beyond these ideas.
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He also highlighted the importance of clear communication within the team, especially when handling players who are not in the playing XI. “It’s crucial to handle players who are not playing with clarity and reassurance. If someone is replaced, it’s not about fault but about opportunity and team dynamics,” Ravichandran Ashwin said.
He added that while he might not match Jadeja’s brilliance in the field, the focus should always be on self-improvement and internal motivation rather than external comparisons. Ashwin concluded by criticizing the common tendency to blame politics for team selections. “We often attribute selection issues to politics rather than personal merit. It’s essential to focus on honesty and self-improvement,” he noted, urging players and fans alike to prioritize personal growth over external distractions.
