Ravichandran Ashwin, the off-spinner, directly countered Michael Vaughan’s comment indicating India as a team that underperforms.
Vaughan’s observation happened while he was commentating on the Australia-Pakistan Test series. This was just after India’s loss in the first game, of the two-Test series that were lined against South Africa. According to Michael Vaughan, India, irrespective of having impressive resources, couldn’t secure the vital triumph in critical instances, especially during the ICC events.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin refuted this notion and cited India’s outstanding performance in the Test format.
“Michael Vaughan made a statement after the first Test that India is an underachieving team,” Ashwin said. “Yes, we haven’t won ICC trophies for years. We call ourselves the powerhouses of the game. But the Test team has been one of the best travelling teams in the vicinity. We have seen many great results.
“After he said that, so many experts from our own country started questioning if India is an underachieving team. Frankly, it made me laugh.”
Ravichandran Ashwin
Additionally, Ashwin provided evidence for his claim by citing a role-reversal that occurred in the first and second Tests of the just finished South Africa series.
“Picture yourself. Just reverse the situation. SA batted first in this Test after winning the toss. If SA had batted first after winning the toss in Centurion, wasn’t there a chance they could have gotten all out by 65? Even India was staring at the barrel at 20/3, thanks to Virat and Shreyas’ partnership from there to save us.”
Ravichandran Ashwin
India became the first Asian team to overcome South Africa in Cape Town, winning the second Test despite losing the first innings.
Rohit Sharma’s team took a turn at first bowl. They kept the Proteas to just 55 in the first round and scored a seven-wicket win.
Despite this, India’s wait for an ICC title continues, their last victory dating back to the 2013 Champions Trophy.
“We criticize and nitpick too much and get into unnecessary details” – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin thinks that the Indian team’s critics often dive into minor details. This focus causes them to overlook several impressive accomplishments by the team.
For much of the past ten years, India has held the top spot in all three formats. This was especially true in Test cricket.
“So, both cricket and Test cricket are differentiated by fine margins. In a country like India, where we talk cricket in every nook and cranny and consider the sport a religion, I feel we criticise and nitpick too much and get into unnecessary details. I think these are blinding us.”
Ravichandran Ashwin
He also praised the Indian team’s capacity to rally in a series, which the World Test Championship (WTC) final had eliminated.
“What we need to understand is that it is still a sport. The fact is that a quality cricket team with good mental fortitude and mental skills can make a comeback from wherever they are, and this Indian team has time and again proved it. Yes, we lost two WTC finals. I accept it wholeheartedly. But in the case of Test series, a comeback is always possible.”
Ravichandran Ashwin
The only team to go to the finals in both WTC seasons was Team India, although they were soundly defeated by Australia and New Zealand there.
The team also lost to Australia in the final of the most recent ODI World Cup, a golden opportunity to overcome their ICC tournament curse.