The incident involving Alex Carey and Jonny Bairstow during the Lord’s Test in the Ashes series has become a widely discussed topic in the cricket world. It has sparked debates about the balance between the laws of cricket and the spirit of the game. Even in the Indian camp, currently preparing for a two-Test series in the West Indies, the incident has been a subject of conversation, especially among coach Rahul Dravid and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Ravichandran Ashwin shared an intriguing story on his YouTube channel, recounting a discussion with Dravid about the incident. He said, “The other day, we were sitting on a beach, and Rahul bhai bought me a lemon juice. He had a one-hour discussion with the bartender and waiter on whether Jonny Bairstow was out or not… They spoke about rules, the spirit of cricket, and everything in their discussion. They are all so passionate. Then suddenly an old man came and declared, ‘He Bairstow maan, he out maan!'”
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Ashwin himself has been at the center of discussions regarding the spirit of cricket. He faced severe criticism for running out Jos Buttler at the non-striker’s end during the 2019 IPL, drawing the ire of players like James Anderson, who famously tore a picture of Ashwin in a viral clip. Ashwin has consistently defended playing by the rules and the spirit of the game.
Notably, Ravichandran Ashwin also came to the defense of Deepti Sharma when she faced harsh criticism for running out England’s Charlie Dean at the non-striker’s end during an ODI at Lord’s. His staunch support for abiding by the letter of the law reflects his stance on fair play in cricket.
Ravichandran Ashwin, along with Dravid and the rest of the Indian team, is currently in Dominica for the first Test of the series against the West Indies. Ashwin has had previous success in the Caribbean, including with the bat, as he has scored both of his overseas centuries in this region.
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As India aims to start the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle on a positive note after their recent defeat in the final against Australia, Ashwin is expected to play a crucial role in the first Test. The team looks to make a strong beginning and bounce back from the disappointment of the WTC final.
