ENG vs IND: "Think before you speak"- Ravichandran Ashwin slams Ben Stokes for 'disrespectful' comments on injury substitution

Ravichandran Ashwin said that Ben Stokes should show a little empathy for the other team.

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has lambasted Ben Stokes for his comments, which he made on injury substitution during the press conference of the fourth test at Old Trafford. The topic of injury substitution was part of the discussion throughout the test series between England and India.

Notably, Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant sustained a foot injury while batting in first innings of the fourth test at Old Trafford, Manchester. He got retired hurt and was taken off the field in a cart as he was unable to walk. Despite the injury, he came out to bat the next day and scored a crucial half-century.

Similarly, Chris Woakes suffered a shoulder injury while fielding on day one of the fifth test at The Oval. He was ruled out of the match; however, he came out to bat in the second innings with a sling in his arm to support England’s chase towards the end.

Ravichandran Ashwin slams Ben Stokes’ comments on injury substitution

While speaking on his YouTube channel “Ash Ki Baat,” former Indian cricketer Ashwin slammed Stokes’ comments on the topic of injury substitution. Ashwin said he admires Stokes’ attitude, but he needs to think before he speaks.

“What you sow is what you reap. At Old Trafford, after Rishabh Pant’s injury, the press conference included questions about injury substitution. Gautam Gambhir had said that injuries like these warrant substitutions. Immediately after, the same question was asked to Ben Stokes and he said, ‘It’s absolutely a joke,” Ashwin said.

“I’m a big fan of Ben Stokes. I admire his attitude. But you need to think before you speak. All I’m saying is: show a little empathy for the other team. Stokes should have considered what it would be like if a player of Rishabh Pant’s calibre was in his team and got injured,” he added.

“Wouldn’t you want a substitution? Wouldn’t that be fair? You are free to share your opinion – but using words like ‘joke’ and ‘ridiculous’ isn’t respectful? Think before you speak. Karma hits instantly,” Ashwin further said.

Notably, Dhruv Jurel was allowed to keep the wickets for India in the third and fourth tests after Pant suffered injuries. However, he was not allowed to bat. Later, Pant was ruled out of the fifth test and was replaced by Jurel in the playing XI. In the fifth test, Woakes and England had the same fate as that of India and Pant at Lord’s and Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, the five-match test series ended in a 2-2 draw after India made an incredible comeback in The Oval test, winning the encounter by six runs. India bowled out England for 367 runs in the second innings, after setting a 374-run target for the hosts. Mohammed Siraj claimed a five-wicket haul in the second innings to help India win the encounter.

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