India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin gave a savage response to Australian captain Tim Paine when the latter tried to get under the spinner’s skin on the final day of the third Test in the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday.
Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari led India’s resistance in the final session of the day when Australia needed five wickets to win the match. It was during this time that Paine decided to rattle Ashwin’s nerves.
In the clip, which has now gone viral, Paine is seen telling Ashwin from behind the stumps, “Can’t wait to get you to the Gabba, Ash.” He was referring to the Indian team’s hesitation to travel to Brisbane for the final Test due to the hard quarantine rules imposed by the government.
Without skipping a beat, however, Ashwin said, “Just like we wanna get you to India, may be your last series.”
Paine, in response, asked if Ashwin was a selector to take such decisions before adding, “At least my teammates like me.”
Paine; Can't wait to get you to the Gabba, Ash
— Thala (@ssmbbakthudu) January 11, 2021
Ashwin; Can't wait to get you to India, it'll be your last seried pic.twitter.com/x9q1VNyC6N
Ashwin, who has been instrumental with the ball in the series so far, proved his prowess with the bat on the last day of the third Test in Sydney to keep India afloat, chasing a target of 407. Vihari, who sustained hamstring injury, and Ashwin managed to bat over 42 overs to build a 62-run stand for the sixth wicket, thus saving the match for the visitors.
In the end, India snatched a remarkable draw after scoring 334/5. Rishabh Pant’s knock of 97 runs, which included 12 fours and 3 sixes, was crucial and Cheteshwar Pujara scored a 77 off 205 deliveries.
The four-match Test series remains level at 1-1 after three games. India and Australia will face off in the final Test in Brisbane from January 15.
