Ravindra Jadeja penned a heartfelt tribute to his spin twin Ravichandran Ashwin after the off-spinner retired from international cricket on Wednesday, December 18. Jadeja shared a photo of their on-field partnership in his message to Ashwin on social media on Thursday.
“It’s been a privilege to share the dressing room with you for many years,” Jadeja wrote. He used the hashtag ‘Anna for a reason’, which could become a trend when the off-spinner rejoins the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025.
Jadeja appears to have let his emotions sink in before wishing his spin-bowling partner with the post on social media.
Ashwin made an unforeseen announcement on Thursday, minutes after the third Test between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane ended in a draw.
Ashwin and Jadeja forged one of the most successful spin-bowling partnerships in Test cricket. They played 58 Tests matches together and took 587 wickets between them, becoming the most successful bowling pair for India, going past the pair of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh – 501 wickets.
Ashwin and Jadeja helped India dominate home Tests as the Asian giants went on to build a fortress. The two spinners were a nightmare to the opposition batters as they relentlessly asked tough questions.
Ashwin and Jadeja will reunite at the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025. While Jadeja was retained by the five-time champions for Rs 18 crore, Ashwin was bought at the auction in November for Rs 9.75 crore by CSK, who won a bidding war for the off-spinner.
A day after shocking the cricket world with his retirement call, Ashwin returned to Chennai. The off-spinner will not be part of the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy — Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the New Year’s Test in Sydney.
“I am going to play for CSK, and don’t be surprised if I try and aspire to play for as long as I can. I don’t think Ashwin the cricketer is done. I think Ashwin the Indian cricketer has probably called it time. That’s it,” he said.
