(Cricket news) The latest ICC rankings release saw two Indians in the Test all rounder rankings. Both of them spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin are currently ranked in the top three with Jason Holder on top. Jadeja and Ashwin have been the top bowlers for India among the bowlers and have also contributed to the team with the bat. Ashwin has been one of the best players in the team this year as he has contributed with the bat and ball immensely. He is also the joint leading wicket taker along with Shaheen Afridi this year even though he has played one match less than the Pakistani pacer.
Ashwin has been in form this season in Test matches as he has picked up 44 wickets in 14 innings and recently surpassed Harbhajan Singh to become the third highest wicket taker for India. He has taken 419 wickets in 80 matches for the team and is currently the only active player to take more than 350 wickets in the format. Ashwin is only 15 wickets away from crossing Kapil Dev’s record and is exactly 200 wickets behind Anil Kumble’s record.
In an interview with teammate Shreyas Iyer, Aswhin said "To be very modest about what is happening in my life and my career over the last couple of years, I did not know if I would go on to play Test cricket when we were in the pandemic, in the lockdown.”
Ashwin is also one among the five Indians to have scored a century this year in Test matches as he scored 106 and took a five wicket haul against England in February at Chennai. He is also the 8th highest run getter this year with 337 runs in 12 innings.
Jadeja has also been in terrific form this year as he scored a supporting half century in 112 balls with Shreyas Iyer to put up a respectable score against New Zealand in the 1st test of the ongoing series. He also scored a half century against England three months back at Nottingham. The left hander is known for his power striking and has scored 269 runs in 12 innings this season.
Jadeja has also taken 16 wickets in 12 innings so far, he is yet to pick up a five wicket haul but has been economical in his spells. He bowled the last over against New Zealand in the previous match as he tried his best to turn the ball but was well defended by Rachin Ravindra. Jadeja and Ashwin will again try to trouble the Kiwis in the second test tomorrow.
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