'I Found Out at the Last Moment': Jadeja Reacts to Ashwin's Retirement

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja today revealed how Ravichandran Ashwin's shocking retirement had left fans as well as teammates stunned, by saying that he had found out just moments before the press conference.

"I got to know about the retirement at the last moment. Five minutes before the press conference. It was shocking," Jadeja told reporters at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

"We spent the whole day together, and he didn't even give me the hint. We all know how Ashwin's mind works (laughs)," he added.

The Test-match bowling of Ashwin and Jadeja has been India's backbone for over ten years. Playing together in 58 Tests, the spin duo shared between themselves no less than 587 wickets. Their association broke a record that even the combined effort of the legend of spin bowling, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh could achieve only 501 wickets.

Ashwin's retirement may have been shocking, but it also marks a passing of the baton in Indian cricket. Jadeja reflected on the gap his fellow bowler leaves behind, yet sounded hopeful about the prospect it offers to the new talent.

"We have been bowling partners for so many years. We kept complementing each other. We used to plan against the batters. I will miss so many things," he said.

But soon he diverted his attention towards the future. "Surely, someone better than Ashwin, both a spinner and an all-rounder, will replace Ashwin. In India we always have good talent, no one is irreplaceable. It's a great opportunity for any youngster to snatched this chance and make his place in the team.

Jadeja's comments followed a gritty 77 at the Gabba, which helped India claw back into the series, which was locked at 1-1. Speaking about his knock, he said that the innings had given him immense confidence.

"Scoring outside when the team is in a tough position, it gives you confidence," he said. "Mindset will be the same. You will have to play according to the match situation and I will play according to the team's role."

Jadeja's knock not only saved the game but also reminded the cricketing world of his immense value as an all-rounder. Interestingly, Jadeja did not play in the first two Tests of the series in Perth and Adelaide. While some might see this as a missed opportunity, Jadeja believes it worked to his advantage.

"I didn't play the first two matches, it helped me practice more and I got more acclimatise to the condition. The hard work in the nets helped me in the match," he said.

Now the series is tied at 1-1 and with this India can win a Test series here in Australia in three consecutive matches. Jadeja feels very well of this.

"We are in a good position, after three matches, it's still 1-1. It is going to be interesting. Even if we win one match out of the next two, we will retain the series because we have won the last two times here. It's a good opportunity to push ourselves and do well in Melbourne. Yes, we will worry about the last match later, the focus now is on the Boxing Day Test. It's a crucial game for us," Jadeja said.

The fourth Test between India and Australia will start on December 26 at MCG.