R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja spun a web around Australia with the ball to script India’s 2-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 triumph.

The spin twin shared 47 wickets between them in four Tests as they were jointly declared Player-of-the-Series.

After the fourth Test in Ahmedabad ended in a draw on Monday (March 13), Ashwin opened up on his partnership with Jadeja.

“It has been a great journey. We (himself and Jadeja) started a long time ago but we wouldn’t be the same or lethal enough without the other. We need to recognise that, at least I have started recognising that over the last 2-3 years,” Ashwin said.

“He gives me a lot of freedom to be creative with the ball, credit to him, I thought he bowled beautifully in the Delhi Test as well and that’s why we are here today. Jaddu keeps it really simple, he does not fret around or bother about what has happened, but I saw him sit in one place for an hour after he got out, so that told me how disappointed he was and that came out today.”

Australian batters made the most of the flat pitch served at the Narendra Modi Stadium for the fourth Test. However, Ashwin bowled with great control to return with a six-wicket haul in the visitors’ first innings.

As a result, the veteran off-spinner (25 scalps) surpassed the left-arm orthodox Jadeja (22 scalps) to finish the series at the highest wicket-taker.

“The conversations have been a lot more in the last 2-3 years because I know how to communicate and what are his likes, his dislikes and even knowing what will help him. Even he has adapted beautifully to the chop and change, during the series when Head was going, Khawaja was playing, we had a lot of good conversations and some of them ended up with wickets and some of them are quite funny,” Ashwin said.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Jadeja also shared his thoughts about the spin partnership.

“It feels good bowling with him. He (Ashwin) is passing on information. What field to have, how to bowl to a particular batsman.”

In four Tests, Jadeja managed to score 135 runs, throwing his wicket away in the fourth Test to a reckless shot.

“I am not too happy with my batting in this series. I missed out on a few occasions especially in this Test. I will work harder and focus on my batting. He is more of everything. He has a good cricketing brain. He knows every team in the world and every series that is being played,” he stated.