Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari emerged as heroes after they thwarted Australians’ efforts to register a win at the Sydney Cricket Ground and take 2-1 lead in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ashwin is now also being praised for his epic reply to Australian skipper Tim Paine, who made a desperate attempt to unnerve the Indian bowler by sledging.
Paine, who’s come under heavy criticism from Australian fans for his poor captaincy in the series, decided to launch a tirade against Ashwin when the latter was batting at 33. Nathan Lyon was about to bowl at Ashwin. However, the Indian all-rounder suddenly left his crease forcing Lyon to stop bowling. What followed next was nothing less than astonishing.
As captured by the stump mic, Paine was heard saying to Ashwin, “Can’t wait to get you to the Gabba, Ash.” This was in response to the fourth Test scheduled to be held at Gabba in Brisbane.
Far from being fazed by Paine’s provocation, Ashwin replied, “Can’t wait to get you to India, it’ll be your last series.” The Aussie skipper continued, “Matie, are you a selector here?…At least my teammates like me, di*khead.”
The video of Ashwin’s on-field heated exchange went viral in no time. The general consensus was that not only was Ashwin a winner with the way he batted with Vihari, but he also put Paine in his place with his witty reply.
Tim Paine: “can’t wait for the Gabba Test”.
Ravi Ashwin: “Can’t wait to see you in India, that’d be your last series.”@ashwinravi99 Mass reply ?#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/AU3zv87mLF
— Guru ? (@GuruRs45) January 11, 2021
Tim Paine is talking an awful lot of shit to a bowler who has 4 more test centuries than he does lol
— Exoskeleton Key (@GiaccAttack) January 11, 2021
Ashwin & Vihari is playing too good ?? but Aussie captain tim paine is getting PAIN in the Ass ?? pic.twitter.com/UCgCzTbBMk
— VijayS (@VijayS3888) January 11, 2021
Haha I love Ravi Ashwin. Tim Paine chirping away and he just patiently waits before saying “Tell me when you’re finished.” #AUSvsIND
— Jack Marshall (@JackMarshall__) January 11, 2021
Once Dhawan tried to mocking Watson’s injury but MS Dhoni stopped. Matthew Wade mocking Ashwin’s injury and Tim Paine is laughing and encouraging him.
The difference#INDvAUS
— Sunil The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) January 11, 2021
Both Ashwin and Vihari batted all through the last session of the match to score just 62 runs for the sixth wicket by facing 259 balls. Vihari faced 161 balls to score his 23, while Ashwin played a knock of unbeaten 39 runs by facing 128 balls.
India ended the match 334-5, comfortably managing a draw in a match that potentially saw their defeat.
Ashwin’s heroic effort at the SCG assumed significance in light of a revelation made by his wife Prithi, who tweeted, “The man went to bed last night with a terrible back tweak and in unbelievable pain. He could not stand up straight when he woke up this morning. Could not bend down to tie his shoe laces. I am amazed at what @ashwinravi99 pulled off today.”
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is currently tied at 1-1 with the final match scheduled to be played in Brisbane.
