Ravichandran Ashwin dismisses Ricky Ponting’s ‘India haven’t been at their best’ remark
Rohit Sharma-led Team India are on the brink of a semi-final spot at the 20-20 World Cup. The Men in Blue however have played some close games and also lost to South Africa in the campaign. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting seems to have returned unimpressed with Team India’s performance so far.
“India haven’t been at their best yet, but Virat has been very very good in a couple of games. He is now the leading run-scorer in the history of the T20 World Cup and I think if India are to actually progress and go on to win, they need Virat there to be playing really well,” Ponting had said to be precise.
When asked to address the remarks made by Ponting on India’s performance so far, Ravichandran Ashwin had quite a different opinion.
“We had quite some close games. Yeah, Bangladesh, Pakistan, all these games went down to the wire. Look, I think in T20 cricket, to follow common cricket cliches, I hope it changes at some time. But I think even people watching the game, giving their expert opinions on the game are still learning the ropes, I would say because the game is diverted by such small margins. Even sometimes I’ve spoken to experts and ex-cricketers. They themselves feel they are sometimes catching up with the pace of the game and how the game has evolved,” said Ashwin during a pre-match press conference.
Unfair to say that team has not stepped up – Ravi Ashwin
“It will be unfair to say that a team has not stepped up, or a team is not looking at its best because it’s on the day. Like I said, it’s on the day. How are you going to counter a plan that’s delivered? How are you going to counter a bowler that’s bowled a first good first over,” he added.
Further elaborating on his comment, Ashwin said: “It’s then and there. You can’t really lay down and say the team did not play good cricket or played wonderful cricket. It’s on the day how well you execute your skills. T20 cricket is standing on small margins, so to make any previews ahead or — I would better say just make a review after the game, which is much better.”
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