Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja rushed through Sri Lankan batting lineup to hand them a massive defeat by an innings and 222 runs on Day 3 of the first Test. While Ashwin surpassed former Indian captain Kapil Dev on the list of India’s highest wicket-takers in the format, Jadeja picked up a fifer in the first innings followed by a four-wicket haul in the second. However, after the match, Ashwin revealed that Jadeja practically sacrificed entering the list of greats as he was just one wicket from achieving a double of 10-wicket haul and a century in the same Test.
“In between we both realized that Jayant hasn't bowled a lot. For someone who is our third spinner, it was important to look after him. Jaddu decided that he would give up his overs and give him a go from the end where there was assistance. And then I gave up my end. Jaddu was magnanimous enough to give up the ball first,” Ashwin said in the post-match presentation.
Jayant bowled a total of 11 overs in the second innings including three maiden overs but could not get one wicket. On the other hand, Jadeja needed just one more wicket to become the first Indian all-rounder to take 10 wickets and score a century in the same Test. Australia's Alan Keith Davidson was the first man to achieve this feat in 1960 followed by England great Ian Botham (1980), former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan and Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.
Ashwin also lauded Jadeja’s batting after his unbeaten 175 in the first innings. The veteran right-arm off-spinner also believes that considering the southpaw’s current form, he deserves to bat higher up the order.
“He has really come a long way in the last four-five years. I think his position is a little low for the way he is batting at the moment. His batting has gone one notch higher. He knows what he is doing and it reflects in the way he is batting,” the 35-year-old added.
Before bundling out Sri Lanka twice, the duo also shared a crucial 130-run partnership for the seventh wicket which helped India post a mammoth first innings total. Ashwin contributed with an 82-ball 61 which included eight boundaries.
“I had four weeks off. I wanted to contribute with the bat, stay positive, take one ball at a time. I usually get ahead of myself with the bat sometimes, and I hope to contribute now,” Ashwin expressed.
