Indian cricket star R. Ashwin was live on his YouTube channel recently. The 38-year-old has slammed the criticism that has been directed at Team India after the series loss to New Zealand. This was the first time in over two decades that India had been whitewashed in a home series.
Ashwin said, “It was difficult for me to see how people reacted - how did they react? Everyone should apologize - 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”
Indian spin wizard also said, “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,"
R. Ashwin takes responsibility on himself for series loss to New Zealand
Indian cricket’s veteran bowler R. Ashwin called the series loss to New Zealand a ‘Shattering Experience’. The 38-year-old had a below-par showing with the bat during the three-match Test series. There were reports that the BCCI could start phasing out the seniors if India failed to reach the WTC Finals.
“We have been hit by a 3-0 loss to New Zealand. I read that it has never happened in India in history. I don't know how to react to it. I know that in my career and in my experience in cricket, we don't have so many emotions when we play. But it's a very shattering experience. That's the right word for it. I didn't know how to react or respond to it for the last 2-3 days” said Ashwin on his YouTube Channel.
The 38-year-old also said “I expect a lot from myself. I am a guy who says I am the reason for everything that went wrong. I am also a big reason and a big part of it. I couldn't contribute to the lower-order runs. As a bowler, I know that runs are a vital currency for a bowler. I started well in many places, then I threw it away on a couple of occasions. I put my best but it wasn't enough”