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“I’m expecting (Ravindra) Jadeja to come through…..”, Ravichandran Ashwin drops a hint reharding Ravindra Jadeja’s comeback into the Indian team

Ravichandran Ashwin may have just dropped a huge clue about when we might expect to see Ravindra Jadeja again, and if his previous comments are any indicator, that time is coming sooner rather than later.

Ravindra Jadeja hasn’t played for India in four months and seven days. The all-rounder has been sidelined with a knee injury that necessitated surgery since India’s match against Hong Kong in the Asia Cup 2022. After the operation went well, Jadeja has been rehabilitating at the National Cricket Academy and posting videos of his progress online, which are all encouraging signs. 

But the BCCI and its selectors have been silent on the subject of his return, with no hints or even a passing reference of when the sword celebration may make its triumphant return. Even though the return of Jasprit Bumrah has been discussed on occasion, the selectors have avoided discussing Jadeja.

Ravichandran Ashwin, a spinner for India, seems to have provided the answer. It seems that the veteran India spinner may have just hinted at Jadeja’s comeback date, and if his huge hint is any indicator, it won’t be too far away. When Ashwin returns to India after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy next month, he is hopeful that Jadeja would make his long-awaited comeback in the match against Australia.

“I put in a lot of work whenever a home series happens. I’m expecting (Ravindra) Jadeja to come through (be fit in time) but I like expanding more angles. I got some things in my head. I’ve been watching Australia play in Australia. I’d like to be working on some different angles, something new,” Ashwin told The New Indian Express.

When India and Australia last met in a Test series, Ashwin was a crucial cog in the wheel. Ashwin fared very well with both the bat and the ball, helping India to salvage a draw with his unbroken 39 off 128 balls and his two dismissals of the dangerous Steve Smith. Ashwin batted despite having a stiff back and taking many blows to the body, but he and Hanuma Vihari stuck it out until the last ball was bowled.

Given that Australia hasn’t won a Test series in India since 2004, Ashwin’s contribution to India’s efforts to retain the trophy would be more important than ever. With 89 wickets in 18 Tests, 50 of which were played on home soil, Ashwin has had some success against Australia. Since the 19-year winning run depends on it, Ashwin is training harder than ever.

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