Test cricket is the ultimate form of the sport, demanding both skill and patience from players. India’s spin twins, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, have mastered the art of spin bowling and have been instrumental in wreaking havoc on opponents in the longest format of the game.
With their impeccable line, length, and variations, they have been a constant threat to batsmen worldwide. In this article, we will study into five memorable Test matches where the duo of Ashwin and Jadeja spun their magic to dismantle the opposition.
1. India vs South Africa, Delhi, December 2015
In the fourth Test of the four-match series against South Africa, played at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi, Ashwin and Jadeja showcased their mastery over spin bowling.
With the pitch offering significant turn and bounce, Ashwin was at his lethal best, claiming 5/61 in the first innings, including the prized wickets of AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla.
Jadeja complemented him with his left-arm spin, bagging 4/50. Together, they bundled out the Proteas for a mere 121, setting up an emphatic victory for India by 337 runs.
The pair’s combined match figures were a staggering 13/181, leaving a lasting impression on the visiting team and their fans.
2. India vs England, Mumbai, December 2016
In the fourth Test of England’s tour to India in 2016, Ashwin and Jadeja showcased their unrivaled prowess at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
With the series evenly poised, India needed to dominate, and the spin duo delivered spectacularly. Ashwin bamboozled the English batsmen with his off-spin, taking 6/112 in the first innings, while Jadeja’s left-arm spin spun a web around the opposition, claiming 4/109.
Together, they restricted England to a total of 400, which proved to be inadequate as India’s batsmen piled on 631. In the second innings, Ashwin and Jadeja once again combined their wiles to take 3 wickets each, sealing a massive victory for India by an innings and 36 runs.
3. India vs. Australia, Dharamshala, March 2017
The deciding Test of a bitterly contested series between India and Australia witnessed the spin twins wreak havoc on the Aussies. Played at the picturesque Dharamshala, Ashwin and Jadeja were relentless in their approach.
Ashwin, with his guile and precision, returned match figures of 3/81, while Jadeja spun a web around the batsmen, taking 3/24 in the first innings. Chasing a modest target of 106, India’s spin maestros displayed their batting prowess as well, guiding India to a memorable 8-wicket victory.
Their combined contribution with both bat and ball in the match was crucial in helping India clinch the series 2-1.
4. India vs Sri Lanka, Nagpur, November 2017
The second Test of Sri Lanka’s tour to India in 2017 was a masterclass in spin bowling from Ashwin and Jadeja. Nagpur’s pitch provided ample assistance to the spinners, and the duo exploited it to the fullest.
Ashwin’s off-spin wizardry fetched him 4/63 in the first innings, while Jadeja’s relentless accuracy earned him 4/67. Together, they orchestrated a remarkable collapse for Sri Lanka, bundling them out for 205.
In the second innings, the story remained the same, as Ashwin and Jadeja picked up 3 wickets each, securing a comprehensive victory for India by an innings and 239 runs.
5. India vs. Afghanistan, Bengaluru, June 2018
In Afghanistan’s inaugural Test match, Ashwin and Jadeja welcomed them to the elite level with a ruthless bowling display. Played at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, this match was a testament to the spin twins’ class and experience.
Ashwin’s carrom ball and variations left the Afghan batsmen clueless, as he ended with match figures of 4/27. Jadeja, on the other hand, picked up 4/17, bamboozling the opposition with his accuracy and turn.
Afghanistan was bowled out for 109 and 103, handing India a convincing innings and 262-run victory. Ashwin and Jadeja’s dominance demonstrated that they could dismantle any batting lineup in any condition.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are two of the finest spin bowlers India has ever produced, and their partnership has been a nightmare for batsmen in Test cricket.
From spinning webs around opponents to destroying batting lineups single-handedly, their performances have often been the difference between victory and defeat for India.
As they continue to ply their trade, these five memorable Test matches stand as a testament to their mastery over spin bowling and the havoc they can unleash on any opponent on any given day.
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