Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran spinner of the Rajasthan Royals, shared a lighthearted story about a funny incident that occurred during the recently concluded Test series against England. The anecdote involved the young Indian batting duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.

Speaking at an event alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rovman Powell, and Shane Bond, Ravichandran Ashwin revealed a task assigned to the youngsters during the Test series – maintaining the red ball. He humorously referred to a viral Instagram post by Rohit Sharma where he jokingly called the two youngsters “garden mein ghoomne waale log” (those who roam around in the garden).

“I can’t remember which Test it was, but ball maintenance is crucial,” Ravichandran Ashwin explained. “Not everyone knows this, but the shiny side of the ball needs to be kept dry for it to swing effectively. Well, the ball was given to Yashasvi, and he ended up wetting the entire surface with his hand. Then, he passed it on to Shubman Gill, who was just casually tossing it around!”

ALSO READ: Piyush Chawla Explains Reason Behind Rohit Sharma’s Absence

Ravichandran Ashwin, a seasoned spinner with over 500 Test wickets, chuckled as he narrated the story. “The point is, using sweat to shine the ball can aid reverse swing, but it requires experience,” he added. The audience erupted in laughter, leaving the young batsmen a bit sheepish.

Despite this lighthearted moment, India emerged victorious in the Test series against England with a dominant 4-1 win. This series also saw the rise of young talent, with Yashasvi Jaiswal bagging the Player of the Series award for his phenomenal batting performance – a staggering 712 runs across the five matches, including two double centuries. Shubman Gill also displayed impressive form, accumulating 452 runs with two centuries and two half-centuries, making him India’s second-highest run scorer in the series.

ALSO READ: Will Jacks Adapting To His Batting Position Ahead Of Crucial Clash

This anecdote not only provides a glimpse into the lighter side of cricket but also highlights the importance of experience and knowledge in the game, even in seemingly straightforward tasks like ball maintenance. As India celebrates its Test series win, the contributions of both the veterans and the young guns like Jaiswal and Gill bode well for the future of Indian cricket.