Dubai: Star Indian spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, have earned spots in the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year, captained by Australian skipper Pat Cummins, as announced on Tuesday.
The Test Team of the Year includes Usman Khawaja (Australia), Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka), Kane Williamson (New Zealand), Joe Root (England), Travis Head (Australia), Ravindra Jadeja (India), and Alex Carey (wk) (Australia), along with Ashwin.
Ashwin’s remarkable performance in the Border-Gavaskar series, where he emerged as India’s leading wicket-taker with 25 wickets in four matches, earned him a well-deserved spot. His notable all-round contributions, including a crucial five-for in the first Test, made him the Player of the Series.
Despite missing the WTC23 Final, Ashwin made a strong comeback against West Indies, claiming 12 wickets in the first game, including a five-for and seven-for in each inning.
Ravindra Jadeja, starting 2023 with a bang, showcased outstanding performances against Australia in Nagpur. He secured a five-wicket haul and contributed with the bat, followed by an impressive 10-wicket match haul, featuring a crucial seven-for. His consistency continued in the World Test Championship Final against Australia, where he played a vital role with both bat and ball.
Jadeja’s excellent form carried into the new World Test Championship cycle, where he scalped seven wickets and scored a fifty against West Indies in the away series. The inclusion of Ashwin and Jadeja highlights their crucial roles in India’s Test success during the specified period.