In the newest India-Pak controversy we have Ramiz Raja’s remark about the Indian cricket team and Ashwin’s epic reply to it. A lot of stir was caused when former Pakistani cricketer and chairman of PCB Ramiz Raja said it is now that the Indian cricket team has started to ‘respect’ Pakistan as opponents.
His act of bringing politics to the game was not appreciated by a lot of people. When senior Indian off-spinner R. Ashwin was informed about Ramiz’s comment, he gave an epic yet subtle response to it. If you are curious to know about it all then you are at the right place. Read on.
The PCB chairman Ramiz Raja mocked the men in blue
In order to highlight the better performance of his own team, Ramiz Raja tried to degrade the Indian cricket team. In a chat with Pakistani news out Dawn, he talked about how far the Pakistani men’s national team has come. So much so that now they have started receiving respect from the home to a billion-dollar cricket industry, India. Ramiz Raja mocked the men in blue due to their recent defeats against Pakistan. To Dawn, he said and we quote,
“Pakistan humesha se underdogs rahein hain jab bhi India se muqabla huye hain, but of late, unhone hume respect dena shuru kardiya hain kyunki unke khayal me yeh hain ki Pakistan hume kabhi hara hi nahi sakte. So yahi main kehta hu ki Pakistan ko credit dijiye kyunki ek billion-dollar team cricket industry ko hum harate hai (Pakistan have always been underdogs whenever they have played against India. But, of late, they have started to give them respect, knowing that they can be beaten in this contest. This is where Pakistan should get credit as India is a ‘billion-dollar’ team).”
As a follower and supporter of the Pakistani team, it makes total sense for him to be proud of his team. However, his degrading remark about the Indian one in the process was not just.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s views on Ramiz Raja’s remark
While addressing a press conference from Australia on Monday, Ashwin was asked about his views on Ramiz Raja’s remark on the Indian cricket team. With great subtlety said “victories and defeats” don’t determine how much respect the opposition would get. He further said and we quote,
“I didn’t know he made that statement. But look, it’s a game of cricket. We don’t play so often, the rivalry is big. It means a lot to the people from both countries. But at the end of the day whatever you may say as a cricketer and someone who is playing the sport, you do understand that wins and losses are part of the game.”
Ashwin added,
“Especially in this format, the margins are going to be so close. Respect for the opposition is not something that comes with victories and defeats. It comes with how you are made, and we certainly respect the Pakistani side, and so do they”
After winning their first practice match against Western Australia XI by 13 runs, the men in blue are all set for another warm-up match against Western Australia XI at the WACA Stadium on Thursday. For the upcoming T20 World cup Pakistan and India will have a face-off in the opening match on October 23.