"Ashwin doesn't need any advice" - Ravindra Jadeja jokes about batting with his all-rounder twin in 1st IND vs BAN 2024 Test
Ravindra Jadeja jokingly denied giving any "advice" to Ravichandran Ashwin in their record 199-run stand for the seventh wicket in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. Despite Ashwin saying that Jadeja helped him out in the middle on Thursday (September 19), Jadeja said the spinner is good enough without it too.
Ashwin and Jadeja, showing their importance for India at a ground they have played a lot together for Chennai Super Kings, rescued the hosts from 144/6 in the first innings. Their stand was the highest for India for the seventh wicket and the most by any pair for the seventh wicket or lower on the opening day of a Test.
Although Ashwin reached his century before the close of play on Thursday, Jadeja fell for a well-made 86 (124) early on the second day on Friday.
"Ashwin doesn't need any advice (chuckles)," Jadeja told the host broadcasters at the end of the day's play. "I was just telling him that we don't need to get into any mix-ups, take it easy, take the singles on offer, and not run too many."
The all-rounder admitted that the wicket was "good" to bat on though it had something for the pacers, with the occasional balls swinging nicely.
India maximized that as, after getting bowled out for 376 in the first innings, they shot the visitors down for just 149, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the pack with four scalps. Jadeja also contributed with two wickets -- Shakib al Hasan and Litton Das.
Good opportunity to take 300 wickets at Chepauk: Ravindra Jadeja
The two wickets took Jadeja to 296 in Tests. He's now looking forward to making it 300 at his "second home". But before that, India would want to post an impregnable total from the current position of 81/3, with the lead at a sizeable 308.
"We are looking to put up a good total in the second innings, I'm happy with how things went with the ball too. This is my second home, yes. Good opportunity to take 300 wickets on this ground, we need to see, looking forward to put up a lead of 400 plus, come out and bowl them out quickly," Jadeja further said.
Catch all the action from Day 3 here.