Ravichandran Ashwin has been making all the right moves in the past few weeks. His on-field performance against the New Zealanders silenced all his critics except a fellow Indian teammate. Ashwin took to Twitter to dismiss the ‘confusion’surrounding Harbhajan Singh’s controversial tweet. The 30-year-old from Tamil Nadu said, “Harbhajan Singh has been an inspiration nd I started bowling off spin only after seeing the 2001 series.This banter going on is unhealthy.”
Ashwin followed his tweet with another message for Bhajji. “By pitting players against each other we aren’t going to gain anything but just a juicy headline. Lets respect ppl and keep the game healthy,” he said. Ashwin’s reaction comes a week after Harbhajan Singh tweeted on the current Indian tracks. It all started when India won the Test series 3-0 against New Zealand.
Harbhajan’s tweet after India’s 321-run win sparked a controversy on how Indian pitches aided the spinners more in the recent times as compared to when he was playing. The 36-year-old tweeted, “Kumble and my test wicket count would have been something else if we got wickets like last 4 years we playing on.”
Bhajji immediately cleared the air and shared that his words were misinterpreted. “Dear got nothing against you. For some reasons my words are misconstrued. Wish you nothing but the best Keep the flag high! God bless,” read a tweet from the off-spinner from Punjab. The war of words between India’s finest off-spinners came to an end and things seem to be sorted for the moment.
Earlier, Indian Test captain Virat Kohli had defended Ashwin in a post-match press conference. The 27-year-old Delhi lad said, “Even if it is a turning pitch, you have to bowl well. Spin is just not something to happen only off the pitch. It depends on how many revolutions you give to the ball and the use of the shoulder.”
“When we lost to New Zealand in the World Cup, I quite clearly remember, suddenly their spinners were quality bowlers and we were found out! I don’t see anyone talking about it now. The same spinners had played (represented New Zealand). Why did not they pick up wickets? It’s as simple as that,” he added.
Ashwin’s exceptional performance in the series with 27 wickets and contributions with the bat, helped India clean sweep the series. He was awarded the Player of the Series and became the first Indian to receive as many as seven awards (fourth consecutively).
Harbhajan Singh’s tweet post India’s win
Only 2 in my 103 tests.. Kumble and my test wicket count would have been something else if we got wickets like last 4 years we playing on https://t.co/fvkdVw1I1v
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 9, 2016
Ashwin praises that how Harbhajan Singh has been an inspiration to him and many others
@harbhajan_singh has been an inspiration nd I started bowling off spin only after seeing the 2001 series.This banter going on is unhealthy
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) October 17, 2016
Ashwin added that he feels it is unhealthy to draw comparisons between two greats of the game
By pitting players against each other we aren’t going to gain anything but just a juicy headline.Lets respect ppl and keep the game healthy
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) October 17, 2016
Harbhajan was quick to revert and close the matter once for all
Dear got nothing against you. For some reasons my words are misconstrued. Wish you nothing but the best Keep the flag high! God bless https://t.co/flIqJYDT4y
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 17, 2016
