"It’s Disrespectful!": R Ashwin Slams Trolls Targeting Ravi Bishnoi After IND vs ENG 2nd T20I
Team India faced a tough setback in the second T20I of the ongoing five-match series against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. While the high-octane clash witnessed landmark moments like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's international debut and a match-winning masterclass from England's Jacob Bethell, it was Indian leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi who ended up in the crosshairs of internet trolls. Amidst the heavy online backlash, veteran Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has stepped up to fiercely defend the young bowler.
The 60-Run Nightmare at Old Trafford
Defending a formidable target of 191 runs on July 4, the Indian bowling unit struggled to contain the English batters. The defining and arguably most heartbreaking aspect of the innings was Ravi Bishnoi’s expensive spell. The usually economical spinner had an off day on the field, leaking a massive 60 runs in his four overs without registering a single wicket. This rare failure instantly made him the prime target for heavy scrutiny, memes, and ruthless trolling across various social media platforms by disgruntled fans and experts.
"Representing India Isn't Easy": Ashwin’s Fiery Defense
Watching the online vitriol unfold, R. Ashwin took to his widely followed YouTube channel to express his profound disappointment. Condemning the toxic fan culture, the seasoned off-spinner reminded the audience of the sheer magnitude of playing for the national team.
Ashwin firmly stated that emerging from a population of over 1.6 billion to represent India is a legendary achievement. He drew a sharp line between analyzing a player's game and outright bullying. "It's very disrespectful. I'm not saying don't criticize players. Criticize them. But there's a huge difference between criticism and disrespect," Ashwin expressed passionately. He further called out specific viral videos mocking players through derogatory gestures, labeling such behavior as tasteless and entirely unacceptable.
Moving Forward: The Trent Bridge Challenge
Ashwin did not shy away from admitting that Bishnoi, like any developing cricketer, has technical areas that require improvement—something that has been openly discussed before. However, he questioned the mental toll this relentless social media toxicity takes on athletes, emphasizing that Bishnoi remains an incredibly talented asset for Indian cricket.
With the first two matches done and dusted, the intense bilateral series now moves to Nottingham. Both India and England are gearing up to face off in the crucial third T20I at Trent Bridge on July 7. Team India will be looking to bounce back aggressively, and fans will be eagerly watching to see how young stars like Bishnoi respond to the pressure on the global stage.
