In numbers: Analyzing Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja's impact in home Tests
All-rounders Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja played key roles as India beat Bangladesh by 280 runs in the first Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, which ended on Sunday, September 22. With the win, achieved in the first session on Day 4, Team India took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Sent into bat on Day 1, the hosts got off to a disappointing start and found themselves in big trouble at 144-6. Jadeja and Ashwin combined forces, adding 199 for the seventh wicket to put India on top. Playing on his home ground, the latter brought up his sixth Test ton, while the former was dismissed for 86.
Both players made a significant contribution with the ball as well. While Ashwin went wicketless in the first innings, he starred with figures of 6-88 in the second. As for Jadeja, the left-arm spinner picked up two scalps in the first essay and chipped in with three in the second innings.
Over the years, Ashwin and Jadeja have made numerous match-winning and game-changing contributions for India in home Tests. Here's a detailed analysis.
Ashwin, Jadeja's overall performance in home Tests
Seasoned off-spinner Ashwin has featured in 61 Test matches at home and has claimed 369 wickets at an average of 21.13, with 29 five-fers and six 10-wicket match hauls. In contrast, he has played 39 away Tests and has picked up 149 scalps at an average of 30.40. The 38-year-old has played one Test at a neutral venue in which he has taken four wickets.
Looking at his batting stats, the right-hander has scored 1,937 runs in home Tests an average of 28.07, with four hundreds and eight half-centuries. In away Tests, Ashwin has scored 1,456 runs at an average of 26, with two tons and six fifties.
Shifting focus to Jadeja, the left-arm spinner has claimed 218 wickets in 45 Tests at home, averaging 20.74, with 11 five-fers and two 10-wicket match hauls. In away Tests, he has 76 scalps in 26 Tests at an average of 32.78, with two five-fers. In two Tests at neutral venue, he has claimed five wickets.
With the bat, Jadeja has contributed 1,910 runs in Test matches at home, averaging 40.63, with three hundreds and 13 fifties. In away Tests, the southpaw has scored 1,113 runs, averaging 33.32, with one ton and eight half-centuries.
Ashwin, Jadeja's stats in home Tests in winning causes
Ashwin has featured in 46 Test matches India have won in home conditions. In these games, he has picked up 298 wickets at an excellent average of 18.15, with as many as 26 five-fers. The off-spinner has featured in only six Tests that India have lost at home. In these games, he has claimed 33 wickets at an average of 31.87, with one five-fer to his name.
With the bat, the 38-year-old has contributed 1,306 runs at an average of 27.78 in home Tests that India have won. The stats include three hundreds and a best of 124. In losing causes at home, Ashwin has scored 288 runs at an average of 26.18, with a best of 91*.
Jadeja has featured in 34 Tests that India have won at home. In these games, he has picked up 174 wickets at an average of 18.33, with 10 five-fers. The 35-year-old has been part of three Tests India have lost at home. In these matches, he has managed only 14 wickets at an average of 32.78, with a best of 4-78.
With the bat, he has contributed 1,577 runs in Test matches that India have won at home, averaging 46.38, with three centuries and a best of 175*. In Tests that India have lost at home, Jadeja has scored 105 runs at an average of 17.50.
Ashwin, Jadeja's Test stats at home against top nations
Of his 61 home Tests, Ashwin has played 12 against Australia and has picked up 75 wickets at an average of 21.20, with seven five-fers. Against England, he has exactly 100 scalps from 18 Tests at an average of 27, with eight five-fers. The Tamil Nadu cricketer has also scored 854 runs against the Englishmen, averaging 35.58, with the aid of one century.
Further, the all-rounder has played seven Tests against New Zealand at home, picking up 59 scalps at an average of 14.83, with six five-fers. With the bat, he has scored 240 runs, with a best of 40. Against South Africa, Ashwin has picked up 46 wickets in seven home Tests, averaging 15.73, with five five-fers. The right-handed batter has also scored 116 runs, with a best of 56.
Looking at Jadeja's Test performance at home against top teams, he has played 12 matches against Australia, claiming 71 wickets at an average of 18.28, with five five-fers. The left-hander has also scored 347 runs in home Tests against the Aussies, averaging 24.78.
In 10 Tests against England at home, the left-arm spinner has picked up 48 scalps at an average of 26.35, with two five-fers. He has also contributed 468 runs with the willow, which includes one hundred.
In seven home Tests against South Africa, Jadeja has picked up 36 scalps at an average of 18, with two five-fers. With the bat, he has scored 321 runs, with a best of 91. The 35-year-old has played four Tests against New Zealand, claiming 19 wickets at an average of 22.84, with one five-fer. With the bat, he has managed 179 runs, which includes a best score of 50*.