Former Indian leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrisnan recently took to X, formerly Twitter, to share his unfiltered perspective on the current Indian off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin.
In a series of pointed tweets, the former Indian leg-spinner didn't hold back as he critiqued Ashwin's bowling abilities and raised serious doubts about his effectiveness in SENA countries, which comprise South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia.
Sivaramakrisnan minced no words when he suggested that Indian batsmen were grappling against spin due to alleged pitch manipulation in favor of Ashwin during Test matches played in India.
His contention was that Ashwin's performance in these SENA countries didn't quite measure up to his remarkable feats on home turf. This candid remark sparked a spirited debate among cricket enthusiasts and experts alike.
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“Indian batsman are struggling against spin because the pitches in India are doctored for Ashwin in Test matches,” he tweeted.
Sivaramakrisnan's rant painted Ashwin as a “selfish stats player,” insinuating that the off-spinner prioritized personal records over the collective success of the team. Such stark criticism from a former cricketer added fuel to an already fiery discussion within the cricketing community about Ashwin’s late inclusion in the World Cup 2023 squad.
Indian batsman are struggling against spin because the pitches in India are doctored for Ashwin in Test matches. Look at his record in SENA Countries ????
— Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) September 30, 2023
Sivaramakrisnan didn't stop there, delving into Ashwin's early career, particularly his association with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he played under the captaincy of MS Dhoni.
He went on to claim that this connection played a pivotal role in Ashwin's swift ascent to the Indian national team, suggesting that, without it, he might have had to bide his time longer.
During this period, another prominent Indian spinner, Harbhajan Singh, was delivering outstanding performances.
Ravi Ashwin was nice enough to call me just a while ago to discuss his bowling action, he was as shocked with the venom of the trolls as I was . Also clarified that the people involved are in NO WAY connected to him. GOOD LUCK @ashwinravi99 Do us proud.
— Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) September 30, 2023
Another eyebrow-raising point in Sivaramakrisnan's critique was Ashwin's switch from India Cements, which owned CSK, to Chemplast, a rival company.
He questioned Ashwin's loyalty with a somewhat sarcastic comment: “What LOYALTY FROM THE GREAT MAN. You must build a temple for him.”
Sivaramakrisnan also highlighted an instance when Ashwin briefly experimented with leg-spin during a white-ball state tournament, suggesting that any other player would have faced severe consequences for such a move.
Ashwin, though, is known to try a lot of variations in domestic and international games.
Adding a touch of humor, Sivaramakrisnan didn't spare Ashwin's broadcasting ventures either. He playfully hinted that Ashwin could excel as a commentator, using the microphone to share his insights.
He quipped, “He definitely will be the best bullshitter in the world when he picks up the mic. I am sure you must be very high on his payroll.” Interestingly, Ashwin’s YouTube channel is among the most followed for his delightful words and insights on Indian cricket.
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Ravichandran Ashwin, known for his active presence on social media, also regularly engages with fans on X, sharing his cricket-related opinions and insights.
Ashwin, who recently made it into the Indian World Cup squad as a replacement for Axar Patel, remains a central figure in the Indian cricket landscape, and although Sivaramakrishnan clarified that Ashwin called him to have a friendly chat with him after the rant, the scathing remarks left a sour taste in the mouth.
The outburst against Ashwin has also ignited fervent debates about the off-spinner's career, his influence on Indian cricket, and the role of spinners in the international cricketing arena.
While viewpoints may differ, the drama, ahead of the World Cup campaign in which Ashwin could play a crucial role if pitches take turn, has turned the focus a bit off-field.
