India’s spin twins R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have scripted many memorable wins for the team over the last decade, especially in the longest format of the game.
On the opening day of the Hyderabad Test against England, Ashwin and Jadeja added another feather to their illustrious caps.
They went past the Anil Kumble-Harbhajan Singh duo to establish themselves as the most successful Test bowling pair for India with a combined tally of 502 wickets.
Ashwin entered the Hyderabad Test on Thursday (January 26) with 490 wickets to his name. The ace off-spinner returned with three scalps in England’s first innings and he is now seven short to achieve the coveted milestone of 500 Test wickets.
After the close of play on Day 1, Jadeja backed Ashwin to accomplish the feat of 500 wickets in the first Test against England itself.
"It will be a big achievement if Ashwin completes 500 Test wickets and I hope he gets it in this match. I am left with 25 wickets for 300 and it might take the whole series, but I wish Ashwin completes his 500 in this game itself and continues taking wickets for India," Jadeja, who also bagged three wickets in England’s first innings, said while speaking to JioCinema.
"I really enjoy bowling with Ashwin, it is really helpful with two spinners bowling in tandem. We share a lot of messages around field setting, line and length and we are happy to contribute to India's win. We really enjoy the competition," he added.
Coming to the Hyderabad Test, India bossed the opening day’s play. The spin troika of Ashwin (3-68), Jadeja (3-88) and Akshar Patel (2-33) ran through the English batting line-up to help the hosts skittle visitors out for 246.
In reply, the Indian batters took the English bowling attack to the cleaners. Left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was particularly severe on the touring bowlers as he notched up his half-century in just 47 balls and added 80 runs for the opening wicket with skipper Rohit Sharma (24) in just 12.2 overs.
Jaiswal finished the day on 76 not out off 70 balls (9 fours and 3 sixes) while Shubman Gill stayed unbeaten on 14, propelling India to 119/1 at stumps.
