"It's Clearly Laughable" - Ravichandran Ashwin Blasts Foreign Journalists Over Pitch Doctoring Remarks
Published - 24 Nov 2023, 05:19 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:23 AM
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Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed media reports suggesting that the BCCI doctored the pitch for the semifinal clash against New Zealand in the World Cup. Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted the diverse soils across different regions of India.
Australian media reports suggested that the BCCI manipulated the pitch for the semifinal against New Zealand. According to the reports, the Indian cricket board requested the ICC for a ‘used’ pitch for the knockout match, leading to accusations of the BCCI’s influence.
Pat Cummins’ Execution Needs To Be Applauded – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed claims that the pitch for India’s semifinal against New Zealand was altered, calling such suggestions laughable. He emphasized India’s unique geographical diversity, explaining that different regions have different soils.
“Journalists from other countries comment that the pictures have been changed and so on but it is clearly laughable. India is a unique country, different parts of the country have different soils,” Ashwin said.
“Ahmedabad in itself has more than 3-4 varieties of soil in the square so, what George Bailey said regarding the pitch made me spellbound, but Pat Cummins’ execution needs to be applauded,” he added.
Australia successfully executed their plans by bowling out the opposition for 240 runs in the World Cup final. Pat Cummins played a crucial role and took key wickets, including Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli. He ended with bowling figures of 2-34 in his 10 overs.
Pat Cummins Had A Field Like An Off-Spinner – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin pointed out that Pat Cummins heavily relied on cutters and tactically employed a field set-up resembling that of an off-spinner. He stated that Cummins played a significant role in Australia’s triumph by taking crucial wickets.
“In the last 4-5 games leading up to the final, almost 50 per cent of the balls were cutters. In the final, he had a four–five (four on off, five on leg) field like an off-spinner,” Ashwin further stated.
“He bowled only three balls in the 6 meter mark towards the stumps in the entire 10-over spell. He knocked off crucial wickets in the final — a game breaking spell by Pat Cummins apart from calling the toss right.”
Shreyas Iyer Is A Standout Performer – Ravichandran Ashwin
The 37-year-old commended Shreyas Iyer’s commitment to mastering the pull shot. Ashwin expressed admiration for Iyer’s readiness despite getting out while attempting the pull shot.
“Batting against spin and taking them down is Shreyas’ specialty and he is a standout performer. Chasing excellence is a rare commodity in sports. If somebody does something unique, people, instead of appreciating it, tell them not to do it,” Ashwin said.
“What I love about Shreyas is that he chases excellence, he took a note to master the pull shot and worked on it. He got out on it but look at the number of balls he put away to the boundary? Balls were sent to the midwicket region and behind square, which shows he is ready for that ball. He hit fast bowlers above mid off, definitely the sign of a champion batter developing for India.”
Also read: “Mighty Mighty Heartbreak” – Ravichandran Ashwin’s Heartfelt Message After World Cup 2023 Final Loss
