R Ashwin responds to Ramiz Raja’s comments on India vs Pakistan rivalry

After the Asia Cup, India and Pakistan are all set to lock horns once again in their Super 12 battle of the T20 World Cup in Melbourne on October 23. Pakistan had registered a massive 10-wicket win over India the last time they met in the T20 World Cup. That was alos Pakistan’s first win against India in World Cups (ODIs or T20Is).

They once again took on each other in the Asia Cup last month. Both matches turned out to be last over thrillers, with India winning the first match and Pakistan emerging victorious in the second game. As another high-octane battle between the two sides approaches, there has been quite a lot of buzz created by off-field comments from former and current players.

Recently, Ramiz Raja, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, had commented that India have started respecting Pakistan even more after their recent success against the Men in Blue.

“We must give credit to this Pakistan team as they have defeated a one-billion-dollar cricket team,” Ramiz had said last week.

Ace India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was asked about Raja’s comments recently and he had an interesting response to that.

“I didn’t know he made a statement like that until you said that, so that’s one way of dealing with it,” Ashwin told reporters in Perth on Monday.

“Respect for the opposition is not something that comes with victories and defeat. It comes with how you are made, and we certainly respect the Pakistani side, and so do they,” he added.

“It’s a game of cricket. We don’t play so often, the rivalry is big. It means a lot to the people from both countries but at the end of the day whatever you may say as a cricketer and someone who is playing the sport you do understand that wins and losses are part of the game. Especially in this format, the margins are going to be so close. We definitely respect the Pakistan side and so do they.”

Ashwin’s response was quite classy and just what is expected of players at his level. He didn’t take a dig at anyone, instead he conveyed his thoughts in a very respectful manner.

India have been placed in Group 2 of the Super 12 stage along with Pakistan, Bangladesh and South Africa. The Men in Blue made a group stage exit from the T20 World Cup last year, and they will be hoping for a much better outcome this time.