India spinner R Ashwin has clarified the intention behind his tweet following India’s loss in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. Ashwin, who was left out of the playing XI for the crucial match, stated that the tweet was a means to bring closure to the situation surrounding his omission. His exclusion from the team became a highly debated topic on social media, with Ravindra Jadeja preferred as the sole spinner in the final.
“Congratulations Australia on winning this #WTCFinal and closing out this cycle of test cricket. It is disappointing to end up on the wrong side of things, nevertheless, it was a great effort over the last 2 years or so to get here in the first place. Amidst all the chaos and scathing assessments, I feel it’s very important to acknowledge all my teammates who played in this cycle and most importantly the coaching and support staffs who have held on like a rock of support,” R Ashwin had tweeted.
Congratulations Australia on winning this #WTCFinal and closing out this cycle of test cricket. It is disappointing to end up on the wrong side of things, nevertheless it was a great effort over the last 2 years or so to get here in the first place.
Amidst all the chaos and…
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) June 11, 2023
Speaking about his decision to post the tweet immediately after the match, Ashwin explained, “The moment, the final finished I put out a tweet because I realized one thing is that I need closure. The moment I get the closure I can move on. There is no time to hang around. I have understood life a lot better now.”
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R Ashwin also opened up about the impact the situation had on his family, particularly his father who has health issues. He expressed his concern for his father’s stress and the toll it takes on him during important matches.
Furthermore, R Ashwin expressed his dissatisfaction with receiving sympathy messages following his omission. He emphasized that he doesn’t seek sympathy for his journey and wanted to focus on moving forward. The cricketer acknowledged that in the age of social media, discussions about his non-selection can often overshadow the actual game.
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R Ashwin concluded by stating that he wanted to shift his attention to the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) and his team, the Dindigul Dragons, following the WTC final. He believed that he gave his best and earned his place, and now it was time for him to concentrate on the upcoming tournament.
By addressing the issue through his tweet, R Ashwin aimed to find closure and redirect his focus towards future challenges, leaving behind any sympathy or external opinions.
