Ravichandran Ashwin takes jibe at Brad Hodge by announcing 30 March as 'World Apology Day'

New Delhi: Ravichandran Ashwin on Thursday took a dig at former Australia batsman and Gujarat Lions coach Brad Hodge, who was forced to apologise to Virat Kohli for his allegation that the India captain opted out of Dharamsala Test match to keep himself fit for the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL). Once it was clear that Kohli will be out for a few weeks, Hodge on Thursday issued a public apology, knowing fully well that his riches from the IPL could be severely affected for maligning India’s most popular cricket icon. Ashwin did not take Hodge’s name but his sarcastic tweet made it clear as to whom he was referring. [caption id=“attachment_3360818” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Ravichandran Ashwin chose to see the funny side in the Brad Hodge-Virat Kohli controversy. PTI[/caption] “On a lighter note, from this year onwards 30th march will be remembered as world apology day.??,” Ashwin’s tweet, which got close to 1,500 retweets and above 6000 likes, said. Earlier, Hodge issued an apology after facing severe backlash for his unsubstantiated comments without verifying Kohli’s physical condition. “I take this opportunity to apologise to the people of India, cricket fans, the Indian national cricket team and particularly Virat Kohli for my previous comments,” Hodge was quoted as saying in his public apology statement “My intention was never to harm, criticise or be derogatory toward anyone. They were intended to be light-hearted comments with the utmost respect to the Indian Premier League which I have thoroughly enjoyed through the years. The public and fans have every right to be upset, and the backlash I have received has certainly driven this home.” “…I am deeply apologetic to the country which has bought me so much joy, and its inspirational leader in Virat Kohli, to whom I mean no ill-intention & respect highly as a professional,” he concluded. Earlier, Hodge had spoken to an Australian channel questioning the seriousness of Kohli’s shoulder injury. “You would hope as a sportsman that he’s seriously injured. Because if you miss one game of Test match cricket and you’re fronting up the next week for RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore) versus whoever… you’d be pretty dirty if he didn’t front up to a Test match and try and win a valuable series against Australia,” Hodge had said.