New Delhi: Ravichandran Ashwin opened up on India’s 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand at home. The Blackcaps scripted history by becoming the first team to defeat India by 3-0 in a three-match Test series on Indian soil. Rohit and Co. failed to chase the 146-run target and lost the third Test match by 25 runs.
India have won 18 Test series at home since 2012 but the series defeat against the Kiwis ended that streak in Pune. Many Indian cricketers and coach Gautam Gambhir faced heavy scrutiny for taking the New Zealand team lightly. Ashwin on his YouTube channel said that it was difficult for him to see how people reacted after the series’ loss. He further added that every fan of Indian cricket was hurt but the players in the dressing room were more hurt.
“It was difficult for me to see how people reacted – how did they react? Everyone should apologise – sir, this is a sport. 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” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
BCCI holds review meeting
After the series loss against New Zealand, BCCI conducted a six-hour-long meeting. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, Secretary Jay Shah, President Roger Binny and Chairmen of Selectors Ajit Agarkar also attended the meeting.
According to the PTI report, the BCCI members were not happy with the team management’s decision to opt for a rank-turner in the third Test after losing the Pune Test on a similar surface. The decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah was also criticised and questioned by the board members. Team India will face Australia in the five-match Test series and The Men in Blue need to win at least four Test matches to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Ravichandran Ashwin was unhappy with the response of cricket fans after India’s 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand. He firmly said that a player’s character should not be assassinated for a loss. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
