New Delhi [India]: Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin stirred discussions on social media with cryptic remarks during Day 5 of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Melbourne. Ashwin’s comments came as the Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, faced significant challenges against Australia.
India’s skipper Rohit Sharma, struggling to find form, showed patience at the crease but failed to convert his efforts into a substantial score. Opting for a defensive approach, Rohit managed just nine runs off 40 balls. After carefully negotiating the pace attack, he attempted to flick a delivery from Pat Cummins but edged it to Mitchell Marsh at gully.
Rohit’s dismissal, with slumped shoulders and a dejected walk back to the pavilion, marked the opening of the floodgates. In the same over, KL Rahul departed for a five-ball duck, trapped between indecision. Soon after, Virat Kohli edged a delivery while attempting a drive, leaving India in disarray.
Ashwin’s Cryptic Remarks
Amid India’s struggles, Ashwin took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share a thought-provoking post. “Good leaders emerge when they show resolve for a scrap,” he wrote. Moments later, he clarified his intent, adding, “This tweet isn’t for people who own fan clubs,” fueling further speculation.
India’s Fightback and Australia’s Counterattack
Despite early setbacks, India mounted a comeback in the second session. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant formed a resilient partnership to stabilize the innings. Their efforts ensured India avoided further damage before the tea break.
However, the third session brought fresh challenges. Australian skipper Pat Cummins introduced part-timer Travis Head into the attack—a gamble that yielded immediate results. Pant, attempting an aggressive shot, found Marsh, who pulled off an outstanding catch.
The collapse continued as Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy departed in quick succession. Australia’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding sealed their dominance at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, leaving India in a precarious position.
Ashwin’s remarks, coupled with the unfolding drama on the field, sparked widespread discussion about leadership and resilience in cricket.
