'What you sow is what you reap': Ashwin responds strongly to Ben Stokes' 'joke' remark

The fifth Test between India and England at The Oval ended in a thrilling finish, with India winning by just six runs. One of the most emotional moments came when Chris Woakes, who had dislocated his shoulder earlier in the match, came out to bat with one arm in a sling.

England needed 17 runs with only one wicket left when Woakes walked out to bat with a standing ovation from the crowd and appreciation from Indian players. He was unable to use his right arm and came to bat left-handed to support Gus Atkinson for the final few runs.

Woakes didn’t face any balls but ran between the wickets despite being in pain. He helped add 10 runs with Atkinson before Mohammed Siraj bowled a perfect yorker to end the match and give India a dramatic win, which helped level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series 2-2.

After the game, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin gave a strong reaction to Ben Stokes’ earlier comments on injury substitutions. Stokes, who had missed the fifth Test due to his own shoulder injury, had earlier laughed off the idea of injury substitutions suggested by India head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Ashwin slams Ben Stokes

Ashwin, speaking on his show Ash Ki Baat, slammed Ben Stokes for his “joke” remark on the need for injury substitution suggested by Gambhir after Pant’s fractured toe. “There’s a Tamil saying which means ‘your karma will catch up with you instantly’,” he said. “What you sow is what you reap.”

Ashwin said he respected Stokes as a cricketer, but felt that his words lacked empathy. Ashwin also cited former England captain Michael Vaughan’s comment to support his argument about injury substitution.

“After the last Test, there were questions asked about the injury to Pant. Gautam Gambhir said that such injuries need a substitution. And when Stokes was asked about this response, he simply brushed it away, calling it a joke. I am a big fan of Stokes’ cricketing abilities and his attitude. But he can think and then reply,” he said.

“Chris Woakes walked in with his shoulder tucked inside his sweater. And was ready to give his life to win the game for his team, and almost did it too. He had the game awareness to run and give the strike to Atkinson. Hats off to Chris Woakes. Remarkable attitude, and a remarkable way to step out for your team, and put your body on the line putting his body on the line,” Ashwin added.

“Michael Vaughan said this is one area where the game can evolve. Substitutions should be allowed. All I’m saying is: show a little empathy for the other team. Stokes should have considered what it would be like if a player of Rishabh Pant’s calibre was in his team and got injured. Wouldn’t you want a substitution? Wouldn’t that be fair? You are free to share your opinion — but using words like ‘joke’ and ‘ridiculous’ isn’t respectful. Think before you speak. Karma hits instantly," he said.

Rishabh Pant came out to bat with a fractured toe in the first innings of the fourth Test in Manchester. Even though he did not bat in the second innings as India managed to draw the game with the help of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, his brave effort in the first innings became a major talking point.