As the cricket world gears up for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia, scheduled to begin on November 22, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has highlighted the pivotal role that India's spin duo, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, will play in the outcome of the matches.
The Importance of Ashwin and Jadeja
Maxwell, who has faced Ashwin and Jadeja numerous times throughout his career, emphasized the significance of these two players in India's Test team. In an interview with Star Sports, Maxwell stated, "I think that over a long period of time, having played against guys like Ashwin and Jadeja, those two seem to have always been the ones we've faced consistently, and the battles we've had with them have often dictated the outcome of the game".
Ashwin and Jadeja have been the backbone of India's bowling attack in Test cricket for over a decade, combining for nearly 800 Test wickets and accumulating more than 6,000 runs. Their performance, particularly in home conditions, has been instrumental in India's success. Maxwell acknowledged this, saying, "If we play well against those two (Ashwin, Jadeja), we'll generally find ourselves in a better position compared to when they've had a field day and run through us".
Recent Form of Ashwin and Jadeja
The recent Test series against Bangladesh has further underscored the importance of Ashwin and Jadeja. In the first Test in Chennai, Ashwin and Jadeja played crucial roles both with the bat and the ball. Ashwin scored 113 runs off 133 balls, while Jadeja contributed 86 runs off 124 balls, helping India recover from a precarious position. In the bowling department, Ashwin took a six-wicket haul in the second innings, and Jadeja picked up five wickets across both innings.
Australia's Game Plan
Maxwell's comments suggest that Australia's strategy will heavily revolve around countering the threat posed by Ashwin and Jadeja. He believes that if Australia can manage to play well against these two, it will significantly enhance their chances of success in the series. This approach is not just about survival but also about finding ways to score runs against the duo, which has been a challenge for many teams.
Personal Reflections and Future Plans
Maxwell also shared some personal insights, particularly about his experience facing Jasprit Bumrah. He recalled Bumrah's early days in the IPL and praised his evolution into one of the best bowlers across all formats. Maxwell mentioned, "To see him evolve from a young, untapped talent to what he is now—the probably best bowler across all three formats—is a pretty amazing story".
On a personal note, Maxwell is set to return to red-ball cricket, playing for Victoria in the 2024-25 Sheffield Shield competition, which commences on October 8. This move could potentially put him in contention for the Australian Test team, especially for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka early next year. Maxwell last played a Test match in 2017, and his return to first-class cricket is seen as a significant development.
In conclusion, as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, Glenn Maxwell's words underscore the critical importance of Australia's battles against Ashwin and Jadeja. The outcome of these encounters will likely dictate the success of the Australian team in the series, making the upcoming matches a highly anticipated and closely watched affair.
