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Ravichandran Ashwin opened up on the gut-wrenching loss against New Zealand and called it a ‘shattering experience’ but also reacted strongly to the criticism the Indian team was subjected to.
Indian all-rounder, Ravichandran Ashwin (Image: Sportzpics)
India’s 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand has led to unending discussions and debates among fans and experts. After 12 years and 18 series wins on the trot, the Kiwis thrashed India to script history. The defeat invited criticism from fans who have now begun doubting India’s capability to win the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under, starting November 22.
On Sunday, Ravichandran Ashwin opened up on the gut-wrenching loss against New Zealand in a discussion on his YouTube channel. The ace off-spinner called it a ‘shattering experience’ but also reacted strongly to the criticism the Indian team was subjected to.
“It was difficult for me to see how people reacted – how did they react? Everyone should apologise – sir, this is a sport,” Ashwin said in his YouTube video.
“I just want to say one thing, everyone was hurt, as Indian cricket fans, but let me promise you, no one can hurt as much as a player in the dressing room – so doubting the hurt is criminal, because players make careers & their careers are broken by what they do on the field, so I believe that character assassination shouldn’t be done by anyone,” he added.
Amid a horror show from the batters throughout the series, Ashwin also blamed himself for not being able to contribute with the bat lower down the order.
“I expect a lot from myself. I am a guy who says I am the reason for everything that went wrong. I am also a big reason and a big part of it (series loss). I couldn’t contribute to the lower-order runs. As a bowler, I know that runs are a vital currency for a bowler. I started well in many places, then I threw it away on a couple of occasions. I put in my best but it wasn’t enough,” Ashwin added.
