India’s cricket fans noticed a significant void during their commanding win against the West Indies in the first Test at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium: the absence of legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. This marked the first home Test since 2010 where the veteran wasn’t part of India’s spin attack, which instead featured Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar.
Following the impressive victory, Ravindra Jadeja, who delivered an outstanding all-round performance with four wickets and a century, openly expressed how much he missed his long-time spin partner, Ashwin.
“Of course, we miss him,” Jadeja stated. “Ash has been a tremendous contributor to Indian cricket for years, a true match-winner. Playing a Test in India without him feels strange; there’s always that thought that Ash would be bowling now, but then the realization hits that he’s not here.”
Ashwin, with his characteristic wit and affection, responded by gently teasing Jadeja, suggesting he shouldn’t miss him too much. After all, Ashwin’s presence might have meant fewer opportunities – and wickets – for the all-rounder.
“If I had been playing, I probably would have snatched two or three of the wickets he took, so he shouldn’t be missing me!” Ashwin quipped on his YouTube channel, adding playfully, “He should capitalize on every advantage he gets. He’s genuinely evolving into a Test cricket legend, and I couldn’t be happier for him.”
Ashwin also thoughtfully touched upon the new challenges Jadeja faces in a largely revamped Indian Test squad, noting the shift in team dynamics.
“Listening to his comments, I can tell it’s born out of affection,” Ashwin mused. “But more than that, I suspect he might feel he doesn’t have a peer to chat with anymore. All the new players are quite young. We used to have those casual, informal conversations, but when you reach a certain level of seniority, you find yourself hesitant to engage in ‘small talk’ with youngsters, worrying they might judge you. If I were there, I certainly wouldn’t judge. I felt a similar void when Puji (Cheteshwar Pujara) retired; we always used to sit together.”
Indeed, India’s Test squad has seen rapid changes recently, with senior players like Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, alongside Ashwin, announcing their retirements.
Ashwin’s comments, a mix of playful banter and genuine warmth, underscore the strong bonds within the team and the enduring pursuit of excellence in Indian cricket, even as stalwarts transition away from active play.