Veteran India off-spinner R Ashwin has been in the headlines lately not primarily because of his efforts with the ball in hand but his effort to hold his nerve and get India past the winning line with the bat against Pakistan in a thriller of a T20 World Cup clash at the MCG.
While at one stage, with 2 needed off 2 and designated finisher Dinesh Karthik at the crease, India looked in control, DK was dismissed in the penultimate ball of the final over, which meant Ashwin had to come to the crease with the Men in Blue needing 2 off 1 ball.
First Ashwin showed great presence of mind to leave the ball down the leg side to ensure that the scores are levelled, he then held his shape to clear the infield and ease a single to finish the game. However, in a video on his YouTube channel, he has now revealed that he cursed Karthik when he got out at a tensed stage.
“As I walked into bat, I cursed Dinesh Karthik for a second and then later thought, ‘No no, we still have time, let us do what we were here for’. It seemed like I was walking for ages to get to the pitch,” Ashwin said.
“The moment I saw the ball going down the leg side, I decided not to have any business playing it and decided to leave it alone and got one run for the wide. As soon as I got that run, I was so relaxed,” he added.
The 36-year-old also revealed the conversation he had with Virat Kohli who was at the non-striker’s end when he came into bat.
“Then I saw Virat Kohli and he told me so many things. But I thought of only one thing after seeing him. “God has given you so much today. So how will he ever let me down? So at least for you, won’t let me get these runs?” See the ball, then place it in a vacant space and just run, this is what I thought to myself,” he said.
“As soon as I got that run, I was so happy. Now, no one will throw any stones at my home! (Laughs) If I can lift the ball and place it somewhere, it will be good. I thought God has made this guy smash Haris Rauf over his head for a 6 on the backfoot and over the square leg for another with a flick. Won’t God allow my chip over the infield in some vacant area? And thank God, it did. What a moment,” he said.
