BEGINNING OF THE END?

With India having a long stretch of away tours starting with a five-match series Down Under, Ashwin & Jadeja might not play together in a home Test for almost a year

- GOMESH S

IT's about 1:30 PM on Wednesday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Indian team had just finished their fielding drills after a long huddle. And R Ashwin was the first to walk towards the practice pitches on one side. He picked up the ball, went through his motions and started bowling at an empty stump. Minutes later, there was a keeper—one of 35 local players who had been called by the Mumbai Cricket Association to help the Indian team at training. Soon, Ashwin was joined by his partner-in-crime Ravindra Jadeja—Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.

If you have followed the Indian team over the past decade, this is the most familiar sight. Ashwin and Jadeja bowling in tandem whether it is at training or in the match. The duo has been the biggest match-winners for India in the longest format, especially at home. The 12-year streak that just ended would not have extended as long as it did if not for Ashwin and Jadeja doing what they do best in the middle. Numbers say as much.