INDIAN stars Ravi Ashwin and Cheteshwar Pujara have posted a sneering video of themselves attempting to belittle Australia’s two biggest names and make light of the sledging that marred the second Test.
The provocative and boastful clip has been shot and run by the BCCI’s official website, an extraordinary continuation of the bitterness that’s erupted between the two super powers of cricket.
In it Ashwin likens Steve Smith to a 10-year-old for his controversial DRS “brain fade”, while Pujara openly mocks David Warner for the fact he has now fallen to his spinning Indian teammate on nine occasions in Test cricket.
WATCH ASHWIN AND PUJARA’S TAUNTING VIDEO IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
Revelling in the fact the ICC seem unlikely to fine anyone for their behaviour in the Test, Ashwin threw the ‘what happens on the field, stays on the field’ code completely out the window by airing his dirty laundry with Australian rookie opener Matt Renshaw among others.
“It’s very easy to have a chat (when the other team is down),” taunted Ashwin.
“I told Matt Renshaw when he was batting in the first innings that if they didn’t score big, I’ll have them for soup and dessert.
“I was very happy it happened.”
Normally cricketing boards and their websites take a diplomatic approach, but the BCCI is flagrantly trying to pick a fight with Australia, also tweeting from its official account – “DRS – dressing room referral system.”
Australia’s senior players led by Smith, Warner, Lyon, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have refrained from passing any personal comment on their Indian counterparts, even in the wake of the giant win in Pune and then the controversial loss in Bangalore.
However, the disrespectful attitude preached by Indian captain Virat Kohli appears to have been passed down through the team, with Ashwin and Pujara smiling like Cheshire cats as they took joy in Australia’s crushing second Test defeat.
“Steven Smith actually turned back and actually asked the dressing room if he could take a review,” said Ashwin.
“That is completely unheard of. The last time I thought that would happen was in an under-10 game, when my coach used to suggest where point-fielders and cover fielders used to stand.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Steven Smith, but that was very, very surprising.”
Pujara who took on the role of Kohli’s sledging lieutenant during the Test, then turned his attention on Warner, when asked by Ashwin why he had gotten into trouble with umpire Richard Illingworth.
“They were talking a lot and probably sledging is something which, as a unit, we felt that we can give them back,” said Pujara.
“They were always under pressure when they walk into bat. I wanted to make sure their batsmen are thinking about that.
“Especially David Warner. Whenever he walks into bat, Ash is always happy. So I always keep reminding him that Ash is the one.”
Online Source: The News
