IND vs AUS: When was the Last Time India played without both R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja? What Happened in that Match?

India has rung up the Washington number as they have opted to drop two seasoned campaigners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja from the first Test against Australia.

India is up against the Aussies in Perth and both Ashwin and Jadeja have been left out from the playing team.

Despite the ocean of experiences, Washington Sundar has been picked ahead of the two veterans, suggesting a dynamic approach from the team management to adapt to the conditions.

Sundar, who has been a top-notch performer for India in the recent past, has experience in Australia and will be aiming to make a strong mark. But Ashwin and Jadeja are two cynosures of Indian cricket and have been the mainstays in the Test team over the years.

It is not often that the Indian Test team is devoid of both the all-rounders. Ashwin has played 105 Test matches and has 536 wickets, whereas Jadeja boasts 319 wickets in 77 matches for India.

India in Tests without both Ashwin and Jadeja

India has played only five times without both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in a Test match since the latter's debut, four of which have happened in Australia.

India vs Australia (Adelaide, 2014)

India vs South Africa (Johannesburg, 2018)

India vs Australia (Perth, 2018)

India vs Australia (Brisbane, 2021)

India vs Australia (Perth, 2024)

When was the Last Time India played without both Ashwin and Jadeja?

The last time India played without both Ashwin and Jadeja was on Australian soil as well. It took place in 2021 in the final Test match at the Gabba, Brisbane. Chasing 328 in the final innings, a depleted Indian side, missing key players due to injuries, stunned Australia with a thrilling three-wicket victory to seal the series 2-1.

Australia batted first and posted 369, powered by Marnus Labuschagne's 108. Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur claimed five wickets between them. In reply, India managed 336, thanks to a gritty 67 from Washington Sundar and 62 from Shardul Thakur, both coming to India's rescue after a middle-order collapse.

Siraj got his maiden five-wicket haul to dismiss Australia for 294 runs. India's chase was marked by contributions from Shubman Gill (91), Cheteshwar Pujara's resilience (56), and an unbeaten 89 from Rishabh Pant, who finished the game with a boundary.

This victory not only ended Australia's 32-year unbeaten streak at the Gabba but also saw India retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.