India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar lauded India's senior spin duo Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for putting the team first and accepting the team management's decision with grace. Ashwin and Jadeja were not part of the playing XI for the opening Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia at Perth Stadium but cheered the team from sidelines.
"It's only tough when you have seniors who don't understand it. But when you have seniors like Jaddu and Ash who understand what the team is trying to do, it becomes very easy, because the team first policy is something that Rohit and Gauti bhai believe in," Nayar told the media in Canberra ahead of pink-ball warm-up game.
It was expected that only one spinner will make it to the playing XI for Perth Test given the pace-friendly conditions. Washington Sundar was given preference over Ashwin and Jadeja. Nayar said that they helped the younger guys after receiving the news.
"I feel they have all bought into it. So I felt very happy that Jaddu and Ashwin are going to help the younger guys so that they do well here. It wasn't very hard (to explain them) and culture is such that everyone wants Team India to win," Nayar added.
Spinners to be back for pink-ball Test
Nayar was also asked whether spinners will play a huge role in the upcoming pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval. The former Mumbai batter did not give a definitive reply.
"I always feel in a game of cricket, nobody is out of the game and whether you are a spinner or a fast bowler, you are always in with a chance.
"Yes, your plans will change, how you release the ball and at what pace, will change, which is why you want to prepare with it (pink ball).
"Maybe, a little more challenging than the red ball and primarily because you haven't bowled as much with pink ball. But I believe any top class spinner will have an opportunity," he added.
What happened in last clash at Adelaide?
The last time India played a Test in Adelaide, they had a nightmarish outing. India were bowled out for 36, their lowest Test score and then went on to win the Test series despite having a depleted squad.