The lethal duo has shared an astounding 462 wickets between them within the 45 Tests that they’ve performed collectively to date.
Ashwin and Jadeja collected 16 wickets within the Delhi Test so as to add to their 15 within the first Test at Nagpur as India took a 2-0 lead within the four-Test sequence.
Ashwin, who has to date taken 463 Test wickets in his illustrious 12-year worldwide profession, on Wednesday changed England’s James Anderson because the No. 1 bowler within the ICC Test rankings.
“I never compare eras, but the record that he (Ashwin) has – especially in Indian conditions – would make him a favourite to get into that (all-time XI) squad,” Shastri instructed The ICC Review.
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“In Indian conditions he’s something else. I mean, you’ve seen some great spinners in the past. He’s right up there. And the fact that he can get you runs at crucial stages makes all the difference.”
The 60-year-old Shastri, who had coached India till the 2021 T20 World Cup, is also impressed with Jadeja’s outstanding run in the last 18 months and feels the left-arm spin all-rounder can join Ashwin in India’s all-time XI.
“He (Jadeja) will begin to get the credit score (he deserves) now. There’s no query about it. The final yr, year-and-a-half, he is been merely excellent as a result of he is realised his potential,” Shastri said.
Jadeja claimed his career-best bowling figures of seven for 42 in the second innings of Delhi Test to finish with match figures of 10 for 110. It was his second 10-wicket haul in 62 Tests in which he has 250 plus wickets. He has also scored 2619 runs with two of his three Test centuries coming in the last 12 months.
“He provides you nothing and it is a nightmare (for opposition batters). Especially, if you happen to’re not in good type, and you might be within the opposition as a batsman, you will have nightmares. You’ll have Jadeja in your desires as a result of the man provides you nothing.
“If it’s a track where the ball is up and down, he can be even more dangerous than Ashwin. Ashwin anyway has the guy (with his) skill. But here, this guy (Jadeja) can have you on edge because one ball will skip through, one ball will turn, and he gives you nothing.
“His accuracy is so good that there are hardly any free balls on provide.”
Shastri also remembered a time during his coaching tenure with India when Jadeja was promoted up the order, something which he believes proved to be a turning point for the all-rounder.
“People, and he himself, did not really realise how good a participant he was till he really acquired a few massive scores in Test matches,” Shastri said.
Shastri recollected how during his time, he had encouraged Jadeja to bat up the order in Test cricket.
“I keep in mind we pushed him up the order as properly to provide him that accountability and he has not regarded again.
“When you see his technique, he plays the ball late, he plays in straight lines and he is just a fabulous cricketer.”
(With inputs from PTI)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com