IND Vs IRE: R Ashwin Speaks On Hardik Pandya's 'Doesn't Matter' Comment, Quotes MS Dhoni, Says 'I Don't Think It Is Too Early'

Indian spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin opened up on Hardik Pandya’s ‘doesn’t matter’ comment after India‘s 4th T20I loss against West Indies on Sunday (August 13).

Hardik Pandya, the T20I India skipper said after the 3-2 series defeat against West Indies said that it doesn’t matter to him, for which he has faced a lot of backlash on social media from Indian cricket fans. Many of the fans also called him arrogant for his comment.

“In hindsight, one series here or there doesn’t matter but the commitment to the goal is important,” the T20I skipper said after the 4th T20I.

The 4th T20I game against the Caribbeans was a do-or-die match for the Men in Blues to clinch a series win, however, the team underperformed in both the inning which cost them a series. Hardik Pandya’s side lost the match by eight wickets after the Indian bowling attack failed to defend the 166-run target.

While speaking on his official YouTube channel, Ashwin said that it is early to talk about the T20 World Cup which is going to be held in 2024. He added that it is easy to criticize the squad on social media but there are many positives from the West Indies T20I series.

“I don’t think it is too early (to talk about T20 World Cup). There are plenty of positives from this T20I series. It is very easy to criticize the team on social media since they lost to a team that didn’t qualify for the last T20 World Cup. They haven’t qualified for the upcoming 50-over World Cup as well. I want to give a piece of information to you guys.” R Ashwin told.

The 36-year-old Indian skipper clarified that he is not backing or supporting Hardik Pandya and later added that youngsters will face some issues when they are going to play in West Indies and added that there are some inside secrets in every country and that the local players know it rather than the away team players.

“I am not talking, backing, or supporting anybody. All of these are secondary. As a youngster, if you are going to the West Indies, there will be some challenges. In all countries, there will be some innate secrets. The local players know these things more than visiting players. Especially if the players are young,” he added.

But people who learn even when they win: R Ashwin quotes MS Dhoni without naming Hardik Pandya

R Ashwin further added how MS Dhoni and his coach said this quote to him. The Indian spinner did not name Hardik Pandya while quoting captain cool’s words. The former Indian skipper used to say when people learn even when they win, will become champions.

“MS Dhoni and a few coaches of mine have said this: ‘When you lose you learn so many things. But people who learn even when they win, will become champions,” the 36-year-old further added.

India will be playing three-match T20I series against Ireland from Friday (August 18). Jasprit Bumrah will be leading the young Indian squad in the absence of other senior players.