WATCH: R. Ashwin takes well judged catch running backwards to dismiss Daryl Mitchell

The old pairing of Ravindra Jadeja and R. Ashwin came to the fore during the second day of the Mumbai Test on Saturday. Daryl Mitchell was batting well on 21 when he tried to clear the ropes. Jadeja bowled the ball and deceived Mitchell in the air as the Kiwi batter couldn’t time the ball well. 

R. Ashwin kept his eyes on the ball and started running backwards. The 38-year-old then stumbled while completing the catch. Once the catch was taken Ashwin was hugged by Mohammed Siraj before being joined by the rest of the Indian players. It was a key wicket for India after Mitchell seemed destined to score big once again. 

Runs backwards
Keeps his eyes 👀 on the ball
Completes an outstanding catch 👍

Sensational stuff from R Ashwin! 👏 👏

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Jadeja got the second wicket in quick succession this time he got the key wicket of Tom Blundell. The New Zealand wicketkeeper played onto the ball that took a thick edge and took off the off-stump. At that stage, the visitors were 100/5 with an over lead of 72 runs with three more days to be played. 

Ravindra Jadeja makes a huge statement about the series loss to New Zealand 

Ever since his debut for India in the Test format in late 2012, Ravindra Jadeja hasn’t been part of a loss in a home series. The streak was snapped after New Zealand won the Pune Test by 113 runs. Jadeja was incidentally the last man to be dismissed during the second Test match in Pune. 

Speaking to the media, Jadeja said, "I was afraid of this. Personally, I had thought that as long as I played for India, I didn't want to lose a single series at home. But this also happened. Whatever I think about, it happens suddenly."

The Indian star also said, “When you raise your expectations so high and then you lose a series after 12 years, it looks very different. These things happen, but as a team, it is a lesson. We need to pick up positives from this and deal with what situation comes next.”

Ashwin got his first wicket of the game when he dismissed Rachin Ravindra stumped by Rishabh Pant for 4 runs. His 2nd wicket of the day came when he bowled Glenn Phillips for 26 off 14 balls with the score reading 131/6 as the Kiwis led by 103 runs.