 "Ashwin has slammed Ben Stokes & Co. over the drama in Manchester Test. YT-Ashwin/Reuters")
Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has hit out at England after the controversy that unfolded during the final day of the fourth Test in Manchester, giving a strong reality check to Ben Stokes’ side.
Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin reminded everyone that India played the series with several setbacks, including the retirement of senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and key injuries.
“Rohit and Kohli retired, Bumrah can’t play all five Tests, and a few players were dropped. If England were in such a position coming into the series, would they have even put up a fight? Definitely not,” Ashwin said.
It is important to note that Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep were forced out of the playing XI in the fourth Test due to an injury, while reserve bowler Arshdeep Singh was also ruled out after suffering a blow to his left thumb.
While Arshdeep is expected to make his debut in the fifth Test at The Oval, Reddy and Akash Deep are out of the series. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant fractured his toe in the fourth Test and has been ruled out of the London match.
Ashwin slams England’s antics in Manchester
Ashwin’s comments come in the aftermath of a heated moment on Day 5 in Manchester, when England captain Ben Stokes tried to call off the match midway through India’s second innings.
At the time, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar were batting and both were close to scoring centuries. Stokes offered a handshake, implying the match be declared a draw, but the Indian batters declined. Ashwin criticised England’s attitude and called it hypocritical.
“Have you heard the term double standards? They played your bowlers all day, batted you out, and suddenly, when they’re nearing hundreds, you want to walk off? Why should they?” he asked.
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More ShortsHe further questioned why England were upset. “You ask, ‘You want to make a hundred against Harry?’ Not Brook, brother. He has to make a hundred. Bring any bowler - they won’t object. Why Brook? Call Steve Harmison, call Andrew Flintoff for all we care. It was your call to bring Brook, not ours.”
“There were two reasons - one, you didn’t want to tire your bowlers. Fine. Second, you were frustrated and thought ‘If I’m not happy, you shouldn’t be either.’ Boss, your frustration is not our problem. That’s not how cricket works. These are Test runs. A century is earned, not gifted. Washington deserved it, Jadeja deserved it. Period.”