Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has emphasized the crucial role of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in India’s Test team, particularly when playing on home soil. According to Akmal, without these two players, India cannot field a competitive Test side in domestic conditions.
In the first Test match against Bangladesh, Ashwin and Jadeja showcased their value with an outstanding 199-run partnership that rescued India from a precarious position. After India’s top-order crumbled under Bangladesh’s attack, the veteran duo held firm, with Ashwin scoring his sixth Test century and Jadeja contributing a solid 86-run innings.
Akmal, speaking on his YouTube channel, lauded their performance. “Ashwin was exceptional with both bat and ball. He took six wickets in the second innings and scored a century to guide India to victory. Jadeja also played a crucial role. Without these two players, India can’t form a Test playing XI in home conditions. They are true match-winners,” he said.
The all-rounders didn’t just excel with the bat; they also shone with the ball. Jadeja finished the match with impressive figures of 5/77 across both innings, while Ashwin, who went wicketless in the first innings, made a strong comeback in the second with a six-wicket haul.
Shubman Gill also made headlines, scoring an unbeaten century in the second innings, solidifying his place in the team. Akmal praised the young batsman, saying, “Gill showed his class. It’s vital for him to score runs, as he’s been given the opportunity in place of more experienced players. He has immense talent.”
Another highlight of the match was Rishabh Pant’s remarkable comeback. After a near-fatal accident in December 2022, Pant returned to Test cricket with a brilliant 109-run knock, playing his trademark aggressive shots and putting the Bangladeshi bowlers under pressure. Akmal expressed his admiration, stating, “Pant’s performance was incredible. I salute the medical team and trainers who helped him get back on the field. He’s shown what he’s capable of for the Indian team.”
With such an all-round performance, India secured a convincing 280-run victory. They will be looking to carry this momentum into the second Test in Kanpur, starting on Friday, as they aim for a series sweep against Bangladesh.
