IND vs ENG: R Ashwin celebrates in face of Bairstow after his dismissal, video goes viral

Ashwin. (Photo Source: BCCI)

In the second Test between India and England in Visakhapatnam, on Day 4, the match was as gripping as a high-stakes poker game. England, in pursuit of India’s challenging target of 399, seemed to be riding the waves of confidence with their run rate hovering around 5 runs per over. Ravichandran Ashwin is on the brink of history standing just one wicket shy of the monumental milestone of 500 Test wickets.

With the English batters flexing their muscles, Ashwin orchestrated a mini-carnage, bagging three wickets and inching closer to cricketing folklore. The tension escalated when Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Jonny Bairstow LBW just before the lunch break, leaving Ashwin elated, almost as if he could taste the sweetness of his impending achievement. He barged towards Bairstow and passed on some words to him.

Here’s the video of the incident:

As the players headed for the lunch break, England found themselves at 194 runs for the loss of 6 wickets, still trailing by 205 runs, with Ben Stokes at the crease, channelling his inner heroics from the Ashes 2023 innings. Alongside Ashwin’s stellar performance, other Indian bowlers contributed with Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel snatching a wicket each, while Mukesh Kumar remained wicketless.

Ashwin, Bairstow feud could have its starting point from off field shenanigans

The lunch break, however, was not just about replenishing energy; it also witnessed a curious episode between the right arm spinner and Bairstow. Flashback to the Ashes 2023 series, where Bairstow found himself in a pickle after a controversial dismissal at Lord’s. The Englishman had strayed out of his crease, assuming the ball was dead, only to be caught napping as Alex Carey’s throw rattled the stumps, sending him packing amidst Aussie jubilation.

The Tamil Nadu spinner had suggested Bairstow to stay put in crease while asserting that it’s the job of a batter to do so. Fans could easily sense the feud simmering between the individuals, as it was palpable during the subsequent IPL face off.