Watch: Tim Paine doesn’t regret sledging R Ashwin in Sydney Test in BGT 2020-21

Tim Paine doesn’t regret sledging Ravi Ashwin in Sydney Test in BGT 2020-21

Former Australian skipper Tim Paine recently defended his famous sledging of R Ashwin during the Sydney Test of the dramatic 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Paine mentioned that he has no regrets over the exchange that became one of the series’ talking points.

The incident occurred during the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where India was fighting to save the match while chasing 407. Ashwin, alongside Hanuma Vihari, put up a strong partnership that lasted 42.4 overs which put the hosts under pressure.

“No, I don’t [regret] because to this day Ashwin didn’t play in that [Brisbane] Test match. I wasn’t talking to the Indians, I was talking to him. I said we cannot wait to get you to the Gabba. Because he was annoying us, fair to say. He is a fantastic cricketer. He was getting me out all the time and that was annoying me as well,” Paine said on The Grade Cricketer.

The verbal banter reached its peak when Paine taunted, “I can’t wait to get you to the Gabba, Ash,” hinting at Australia’s brilliant record at the Brisbane venue. Ashwin’s quickly responded and said, “Just like we want to get you to India, that will be your last series.”

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Paine also questioned the seriousness of Ashwin’s reported back spasms that kept him out of the decisive Brisbane Test.

“But no, that was purely directed straight at him and he pulled out of that Test match because of back spasm. Did I had a great game in that match? No, but I fronted up. Actually day one of the Test match he (Ashwin) was jogging laps. Those back spasms couldn’t have been that bad,” he added.

While Paine’s sledging was to unsettle Ashwin, the series culminated with India winning the series 2-1, including a win for the ages at the Gabba, with several key players missing from the XI. Meanwhile, the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is set to begin on November 22 in Perth.