Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri issued a subtle warning to England about the potential threat posed by R Ashwin in the upcoming five-match Test series, starting on January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
Ashwin has an impressive track record against England, having taken 88 wickets in 19 Tests, including six five-wicket hauls and a ten-wicket match haul. He stands just 12 wickets away from becoming the first Indian bowler to claim 100 wickets against England in the format.
Well, in a light-hearted moment during the BCCI Awards on Tuesday, January 23, Shastri playfully commented on Ashwin’s haircut while highlighting the significant threat the senior off-spinner poses to the England cricket team in the upcoming Test series.
Ravi Shastri said at the NAMAN ceremony: “Ashwin just mentioned, I am going to get up do better. Now that he has had this haircut and his brains are free, with the air going through, now can you imagine what all he is thinking? There could be a 'Theesra', there could be a 'choutha'. England will find out very soon, in the next couple of months.”
Sharing his advice for the young players, the former coach said: “I think my first advice to them (young players) would be to tell them it's a great game. There's no shortcut to success. You'd be a hero on Tuesday, and then the game will bring you down on Sunday.
So, cash in when the going is good, be even more determined. You don't need any motivation these days with the kind of bucks that are in the game. Be driven. Do better than yesterday, every single day.”
Shastri signed off by saying, “And also to the teams that are here, I don't see the England team here, but Baz is here. Best of luck for the series. it's always a marquee series, 5 Tests after a long time. Play hard, play fair. Play well within the rules. Spirit and spirits after playing hours.”
