It Was Tough To See: Ashwin On New Zealand Players Celebrating WTC Final Victory

Legendary Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has opened up on Team India’s heart-wrenching defeat in the final of the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton last month.

Team India endured yet another heartbreak last month as they lost yet another knockout fixture of an ICC event courtesy of a powerful performance by the Kane Williamson-led BlackCaps, who outplayed them in all departments of the game to become the undisputed Test champions.

Ashwin revealed that he went numb after the defeat and to see New Zealand cricketers celebrate their heist well into the night was heartbreaking for the veteran cricketer.

‘’After the match, New Zealand have this custom of celebrating with the trophy and a few drinks in the dressing room. It was tough to see it. I think it is the flip side of having a room above the ground. They celebrated until 12. They even arrived at the pitch, and it sounded like a war cry to express their happiness. It was quite upsetting to see as we couldn’t make it,” Ashwin said in the video on his official Youtube channel.

Team India is currently on a much-needed break before a grueling five-match Test series against England, starting August 04.

Speaking about the importance of the break, Ashwin said-

“We were in the bubble throughout. So, after a long time, we are able to get some fresh air and step out. I have rented a car, and I am just driving around the country. First, we visited Devon. It was a beautiful and picturesque place. We went at an altitude that connected the ocean and the hill,”

“This break is important for us. We had a lot of time between the WTC final and the England series. Obviously, we will practice, but this break is good. It has been quite hard being in the bubble. We have been in the bubble for 1.5 years.” he added.

Meanwhile, Ashwin will once again be extremely crucial to Team India’s fortunes in the upcoming Test series against England. Ashwin, who finished as the leading wicket-taker in the WTC cycle, had a brilliant individual stint in the summit clash as he was the only bowler to make any sort of impact during New Zealand’s second innings on the final day.

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