Ashwin-Shastri
Felt 'absolutely crushed': Ravichandran Ashwin on a remark made by Ravi Shastri
Mumbai/IBNS: The controversy over Indian cricket is showing no signs of stopping as now frontline spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin recalled an incident involving former head coach Ravi Shastri that had made him feel "absolutely crushed".
Ashwin said he felt that he was "thrown under the bus" when Shastri referred to Kuldeep Yadav as India's lead overseas spinner after the latter took five wickets in the Sydney Test against Australia.
Ashwin, who said he was happy for Yadav's five-wicket haul, Told ESPNCricinfo, "I hold Ravi bhai in high esteem. We all do. And I understand we all can say things and then retract them. At that moment, though, I felt crushed. Absolutely crushed. We all talk about how important it is to enjoy your team-mates' success. And I was happy for Kuldeep.
"I have not been able to get a five-for but he has a five-for in Australia. I know how big it is. Even when I have bowled well (at other times), I haven't ended up with a five-for. So I am genuinely happy for him. And it's an extremely happy occasion, to win in Australia."
"But if I have to come and partake in his happiness, and the success of the team, I must feel like I belong there. If I feel like I am being thrown under the bus, how am I supposed to get up and come for a party to enjoy the team's or team-mate's success?
"I went back to my room and then I spoke to my wife. And my children were there. So we were able to, you know, shrug it off, and I still made it to the party, because, at the end of the day, we had won a massive series," he added.
Ashwin, who was missing from the Indian squad, is now back in the side.
After playing the T20 World Cup, the star cricketer helped India to win at home against New Zealand. He has also been picked for the South African series.
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