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Why Dhoni continues to back Ashwin and Jadeja

June 17, 2015 16:53 IST

Mahendra Singh Dhoni discusses a point with Ravichandran Ashwin (right) during training. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Having closely watched Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja perform the spin duties over the last four years, Mahendra Singh Dhoni expressed satisfaction over the progress of the Tamil Nadu tweaker and Saurashtra left-armer.

Talking about Ashwin’s progress, Dhoni said, "He (Ashwin) has shown improvement. That's something very important, especially for a Test cricketer because you play under different circumstances.

“You play in the sub-continent and then you play outside. You try to do things in a different way, but what's important is for the individual to keep on learning in every game.

"It pushes you to learn something and new and I felt that this is something he has done very well.”

He was effusive in praise of the right-arm off-break bowler who got a five-for in the one-off Test against Bangladesh at Fatullah on a placid track.

“He is a thinking cricketer, thinks about his game a lot. And that's the reason he has shown a lot of improvement. It's good to have somebody like him because he can also bat a bit.

“In Test cricket, even the lower-order needs to contribute. If you get that extra 40-50 runs it can have a big impact on the game," said India’s ODI skipper.

Ravindra Jadeja (left) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

He also lauded Jadeja, saying he is gaining in confidence after coming back from a shoulder injury.

"He did a decent job in the IPL. I felt even the World Cup he did a good job for us. Definitely, if you come after an injury, especially if it's a shoulder injury, you tend to think a bit about it if it's your bowling arm.

"I feel he has got more and more confidence about that, getting out of injury and we have seen a lot of improvement. So, hopefully, we will continue with it."

- India's Tour of Bangladesh

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