The maxim that goes the rounds about fast bowlers who bowl in pairs has found a new spin with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja troubling the opposition in more ways than one.
The latest mission by the Tango and Cash of modern Indian cricket was against Bangladesh in the ongoing first Test here when they added 199 runs for the seventh wicket to lead India to 376 all out from a wispy 144 for six.
It was a new high even for the Ashwin-Jadeja combine, who have registered three 50-plus stands together to steady the Indian ship in the past.
Ashwin didn't hide his regard for Jadeja. "I always envy him. So gifted, so talented. He's found ways to maximise his potential. I wish I could be him, but I'm glad I am myself," Ashwin told reporters during the post-day press meet here on Friday.
The Chennai man admitted that having Jadeja at the other end helped him construct his sixth Test hundred.
"He is an exceptionally good cricketer. I'm happy for him. Likewise, in so many ways, I think watching him bat over the last couple of years has also given me insight on how better I can be," he added.
However, when it comes to bowling, Ashwin pursues a vastly different philosophy, flummoxing batters with an endless bag of tricks.
Jadeja is more street-smart, holds it close and exploits tiny variations in length and line to gather his rewards.
But as an in-net result they have found a way to coexist to benefit the team, and last January the pair passed the 501 wickets barrier achieved by Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh to emerge as India's most successful bowling combination.
"He keeps it very simple. He can repeat it (bowling) day in and day out. So, both of us have grown together. Both of us have done some special things.".
"We really value one another at this stage and both of us are enjoying each other's success more than ever before," Ashwin explained. But the business is unfinished. They will now have to bowl together once more in Bangladesh's fourth innings to take the side home.
According to Ashwin, who failed to pull off a wicket in Bangladesh's first innings that went on to close at 149, the visitors have long been scripted for their doom by him alone.
"There's a bit of a different up-and-down bounce. I'd say the carry is still there. It probably quickened up a little bit today and then goes on to be slower again. I really do believe it will turn at this game's pace if it can get into the fourth-fifth day in the Test match.".
"However, the test that this pitch would face going ahead from here would be to negotiate spin, since the surface in due course would be able to do its tricks on the batters," he said.
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