Top 5 Ravindra Jadeja-R Ashwin batting partnerships in Test cricket ft. 195* vs Bangladesh
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin again came to the rescue for India; however, this time, they helped the team gain an edge by contributing with the bat. The duo were sensational with their 195*-run stand in the first Test fixture against Bangladesh on Thursday, September 19.
The veteran duo have scalped a total of 810 wickets in the longest format together and have been reliable performers. However, what sets them apart is their ability to churn out runs in crunch situations. With a potent defense and strong technique, Jadeja and Ashwin have amassed over 6,000 runs and are the biggest match-winners for India in red-ball format.
In a total of 18 innings together, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin have scored 655 runs at a prolific average of over 40. On that note, let's take a look at their top five partnerships in Test cricket.
#5 42 vs South Africa at Mohali, 2015
In the first Test of South Africa's tour of India in 2015 at Mohali, the hosts batted first. Murali Vijay led the charge for India with a 75-run knock, as key contributors could not be potent with their contributions. Coming at No. 7, Ravindra Jadeja looked comfortable at the crease to steer the team.
Jadeja (38) and Ravichandran Ashwin (20*) stitched together an important 42-run stand to help India compile a total of 201. Their partnership was crucial, as the surface demanded the batter to play spin well, with the opposition spinners taking seven wickets. Thereafter, the Proteas could manage to post 184, with Ashwin taking a fifer.
Cheteshwar Pujara (77) was the top batter for India as they were dismissed for 200 and set up a target of 218. Jadeja was terrific with figures of 5/21, as South Africa were all-out for 109.
#4 44 vs Australia at Delhi, 2013
The fourth Test of the 2013 series between India and Australia took place in Delhi, which was a rank turner. The visitors batted first and were dismissed for 262, with Ravichandran Ashwin taking five wickets. In response, Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara scored fifties to give India a fine start.
However, the middle-order couldn't cope up with Nathan Lyon's brilliance; Ravindra Jadeja did well to contribute 43 off 49. Through his stay, Jadeja added 44 runs with Ashwin (12), as India went on to be all-out for 272. Lyon scalped seven wickets for Australia.
Thereafter, Jadeja picked a fifer to bundle out Australia for 162. Pujara remained unbeaten on 82 as India chased down the score with six wickets to spare. Interestingly, this was the first occasion of India winning all four Tests in a series.
#3 97 vs England at Mohali, 2016
In the third fixture of the bilateral series, India and England met in Mohali in November 2016. The English side compiled a score of 283, with Jonny Bairstow's 89.
Then, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara scored fifties to lay a stable platform for the Indian team. However, after their dismissals, India were at 204/6 and needed a stable partnership from Ashwin and Jadeja. They certainly impressed the cricket fraternity with their positive approach to stitch together a 97-run stand. Jadeja (90) and Ashwin (72) were the top batters for the side, as the home side went on to post 417.
The English side scored 236 in the second innings to set up a total of 103. Parthiv Patel (67) led from the front to complete the chase.
#2 130 vs Sri Lanka at Mohali, 2022
In March 2022, India met Sri Lanka in Mohali in the first Test of the two-match bilateral series. The hosts were in the driving seat with hefty contributions from their batters, with Rishabh Pant scoring 96.
However, coming at No. 7, Ravindra Jadeja looked sublime with his timing and confidence. He got support from Ravichandran Ashwin, who was impressive with a 71-run knock. The duo stitched together a stand of 130 runs for the seventh wicket to continue the team's momentum. Jadeja produced his career-best innings of 175*, as India declared on 574/8.
Jadeja picked up a fifer to decimate Sri Lanka for 174. Enforced a follow-on, Jadeja and Ashwin scalped four wickets apiece to bundle out the Islanders for 178 and help India win by an innings and 222 runs.
#1 195* vs Bangladesh at Chennai, 2024
The ongoing fixture between India and Bangladesh saw the former losing their key batters, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli in clusters. The duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal (56) and Rishabh Pant (39) brought back the team into the game.
At 144/6, India were in desperate need of support from their experienced campaigners, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. The duo came in clutch to display their resilience and fighting spirit to hit 10 fours and two sixes each, as they have formed an unbeaten 195-run stand to take India to 339/6. This is also now the highest seventh-wicket stand at MA Chidambaram Stadiium.
Ashwin slammed his sixth century, as he remained unbeaten on 102 off 112, while Jadeja is at the crease with 86* off 117.