Virat Kohli Episode: Ravichandran Ashwin Refrains From Commenting, Plays Down Incident by Hailing Media

Amid the furore generated by Virat Kohli's abusive behaviour with an Indian journalist, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Thursday tried to defuse the tension. He praised the media for its support and for 'taking cricket back' to the country.

Although Ashwin refrained from making any comments on the 'Virat Kohli abuse episode', it did look like he tried his best to provide damage control.(Kohli Warned by BCCI)

"Media are here to support us. It's very heartening to see the media turn up in huge numbers and try to support us. But I mean, this is my take on it. I think the media has a responsible way of taking cricket back home in a responsible fashion, taking cricket to the public in the way it needs to be taken," Ashwin said answering a specific question on what was his take on the media in general.(Virat Kohli Faces Media Backlash)

The off-spinner said that at times he has not agreed with what has been reported, but there have been times when media has been supportive.(Ashwin Ready for Gayle)

"There are times when I'm not happy with that, but that's my opinion. But there are other times when you support the players and it's very important to take the game forward," said Ashwin.(Ashwin Shies Away From Kohli Controversy)

Ashwin, however, refused to comment when asked pointedly about the Kohli incident in which the swashbuckling batsman hurled abuses at a reporter mistaking him for another scribe.(Kohli in Trouble After Scribe Reports Boorish Behaviour to ICC)

"Honestly, I do not know what's happened. It's definitely not in my jurisdiction. I do not know what's happened. I'm very honest about it. I do not know what's happened. Having said that going forward in tomorrow's game, I think we'll give it the best and see how it goes."(No Plans for Chris Gayle: Ashwin)

West Indies captain Jason Holder also said, "Well, to be honest, you've just made me aware of it. I wasn't really following or aware of any problems with India."(Kohli Needs a Bit of Maturity, Says Steve Waugh)

Indian cricket team director Ravi Shastri, in a recent interview termed the tri-nation ODI series that preceded the World Cup, as a 'waste of time'.(Respect Privacy, Says Laxman)

Asked about his take on the subject, Ashwin replied: "You know, it's very hard to take up on opinions because he said it's a waste of time. And if I say it's not a waste of time, that's going to be a contradiction. So that's not the route I'm going to be taking. I think exactly what he meant was to say it was draining on the boys. I think he was fair enough in saying that.

"And we play cricket all 12 months a year, and there are times you feel really low and it's hard to pick yourself up and that was one of those times and he was very clear in expressing that, I thought," Ashwin said.

Ashwin thanked the new-ball bowlers for providing breakthroughs upfront.

"I think it's huge in the sense if you get a couple of wickets upfront, then the entire game turns on its head. As far as a spinner is concerned, when I come in, I've got that little bit more freedom. Having said that, I just made up my mind that I'm going to bowl this way the entire tournament.

"There are times when I prepare for such big tournaments as to what I'm going to be doing. Come what may, I'll try to execute it, and that is one of the reasons that I've come out to express myself in any of these major tournaments. I like the big stage, and I like to assume I like to do it my way."

Asked about the challenges of bowling in the mandatory Batting Powerplay, Ashwin said, "No particular plans. I mean, it's pretty simple. You've got to restrict to hitting to one side of the grounds because you have three fielders and maximize those particular three fielders and try to see how much you can restrict the hitting to that side.

"If there are pockets that open up and there are times you feel you can attack, and batting is a very good time to attack because you don't get a lot of singles. It's pretty much about boundaries and wickets, and you can restrict the hitting to one side and see if you can get a wicket or two."

Queried if the plan changes as per pitch conditions, Ashwin replied, "For me, most of my bowling is up in my head. It's very mental as far as I'm concerned. If there is an approach to be taken in any big tournaments, if you look around yourself, you always see a lot of insecurities, and I try to capitalise on insecurities."