At home, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been a vital cog for India in bowling as Virat Kohli in batting, who recently became the all-format captain for India after Mahendra Singh Dhoni relinquished from the post of limited-overs cricket this month.
With the Champions Trophy just five months away, the threat is looming large for India’s prime spinner Ashwin to cement his place in England, where the pitches assist seamers and an all-rounder like Jadeja could be a vital cog for the Men in Blue in the major tournament under Kohli’s tutelage.
In England, Jadeja has bagged 23 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 20.86. His best bowling figures came against the West Indies (5/36) at the Oval. He has scored 266 runs at an average of 88.66.
On the other hand, Ashwin has played 10 games in which he has 15 wickets at an average of 22.66, and has scored 64 runs at an average of 16.
Ashwin has been a prominent force for India in Tests while helping his side to top the ICC Test Rankings table and to clinch the Test series against New Zealand followed by England, but he wasn’t up to the mark during the three-match one-day series against England before being rested alongside his teammate Ravindra Jadeja for the three-match Twenty20 series, which is scheduled from January 26 at Kanpur.
The Test Cricketer of 2016, Ashwin, who picked 28 wickets in the five-match Test series against England, had a bleak ODI series against the hosts, where he conceded 188 runs to bag three wickets in three games.
Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja shared 95 wickets in eight Tests against the visiting New Zealand and England.
In 2015, after going through a lean patch while averaging 76 in Bangladesh series with the ball, Jadeja earned a recall for Australia series in 2016, where he had a dismal show by picking three wickets in five games at an average of 85.66, before making a mark against England at home.
However, after making his debut in 2009, Ravindra Jadeja has cemented his place as an all-rounder in the limited-overs cricket before thriving in Test cricket.
In between the years, Jadeja had a rough time, before returning back on the field while making a strong statement as a capable player, who always gives his hundred percent on the ground.
In the recently concluded three-match series, Jadeja had a better record than Ashwin; the left-arm spinner picked four wickets at an economy of 5.23 while giving away 157 runs in the series. Achieving a milestone, Jadeja became first left-arm Indian spinner to take 150 wickets or more in ODIs. His 150th wicket was English batsman Sam Billings in the third ODI at the Eden Gardens.
While playing a crucial role for India in Tests, Jadeja could be helpful on the bouncy tracks with his immaculate line and length.
Jadeja had been the highest wicket-taker for India in the 2013 Champions Trophy, where he claimed 12 wickets at an average of 12.83.
In 129 ODIs for India, Jadeja bagged 151 wickets at an average of 34.68 while having the economy of 4.88. He has scored 1,888 runs.
On the other hand, Ashwin has picked 145 wickets in 105 ODIs at an average of 32.37 having an economy of 4.91. The off-spinner has scored 674 runs.
In limited-overs cricket, it’s also going to be a healthy battle between the duo in the 2017 Champions Trophy in England and Wales.