NEW DELHI: Playing alongside a cricketing mastermind like Ravichandran Ashwin can be challenging, even for a standout all-rounder like Ravindra Jadeja. As Jadeja nears the elite club of cricketers with 300 wickets and 3000 runs in Test cricket—just one wicket short at 299 and already with 3122 runs—his understated brilliance deserves recognition. Only ten players in cricketing history have reached this milestone, with Kapil Dev and Ashwin being the only other Indians on that prestigious list.
Interestingly, legends like Gary Sobers and Jacques Kallis don’t feature in this group, highlighting the magnitude of Jadeja’s impending achievement. Despite this, Jadeja’s name is rarely mentioned alongside such cricketing giants, and that’s largely due to his low-profile, no-fanfare approach.
Unlike Ashwin, who frequently engages with fans through press conferences and his YouTube channel, Jadeja operates quietly, almost like a stealth fighter jet—powerful but undetected. In high-pressure situations, Jadeja’s competitive instincts come to the forefront, as seen during India’s dominant 280-run victory in the first Test against Bangladesh. The partnership between Jadeja and Ashwin in that match was pivotal; from a precarious 144 for six, the duo elevated the score to 376 with a 199-run stand. While Ashwin scored a century and grabbed the spotlight, Jadeja’s crucial 86 was almost overlooked.
Similarly, Jadeja’s five-wicket haul in the Test was overshadowed by Ashwin’s six-wicket performance in the second innings. Despite delivering key moments—such as dismissing Bangladesh’s Litton Das—Jadeja’s contributions often become footnotes to his more celebrated teammate’s accomplishments.
Yet, those who closely follow the game know Jadeja’s value lies in his relentless competitiveness. Ashwin himself acknowledged Jadeja’s vital role in the team, saying, “He’s been a very inspirational story. Sometimes, when you’re in the race alongside your co-cricketers, you want to get ahead. Then you slowly start admiring one another. Now, that admiration has gone one step higher, knowing that I can never beat Jadeja. So, I’m comfortable in my skin, but totally inspired by what he’s done.”
Since 2012, Jadeja and Ashwin have formed a formidable spin duo in 45 home Tests, securing 34 wins, 3 losses, and 8 draws for India. Jadeja has taken 218 wickets in those matches, while Ashwin has claimed 263. The synergy between the two is undeniable. A former India left-arm spinner remarked, “They feed on each other’s presence. Ashwin has benefitted slightly more because Jadeja gives nothing away to the batsmen. Even on flat wickets, they struggle against him because of his control, which forces them to take risks against Ashwin or others like Bumrah and Shami.”
Known for his selflessness, Jadeja rarely seeks the limelight. He doesn’t give big interviews, and it’s uncertain whether he even enjoys the hype that surrounds cricket. “He seems content, happy just contributing to the team,” the former spinner added.
After the Chepauk Test, while others celebrated and spoke with broadcasters, Jadeja was spotted standing near the boundary, calmly tossing a red ball and staring at the ground—likely already planning his next move. This quiet focus is what defines Jadeja—the master of subtle brilliance, always thinking ahead, always ready for the next challenge.
