Losing the Bangladesh series not an insult for India team: Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been one of the better performers from the Indian team on the ongoing tour of Bangladesh, talked about the significance of the series loss to the neighbouring country, the issue surrounding MS Dhoni stepping down from captaincy, adding in jest that things could have been smoother if it had been possible to kidnap Mustafizur Rahman.
Ashwin has managed 4 wickets in the ODI series so far, but has been far outshone by the find of the tournament Mustafizur Rahman – who has taken the cricket world by storm, taking 11 wickets in his first two international matches.
"We can't kidnap Mustafizur," Ashwin joked. "He is a really good bowler and we have to give respect to him. Hopefully, we will try and avoid a Banglawash."
On the Bangladesh team, Ashwin said, "Losing the series is not an insult for us. A good side has beaten us. Bangladesh know what needs to be done here. They are on the rise and will beat more top teams.
"We failed as an unit but have learnt our lessons. It's a challenge for us to win the last ODI."
A cricket captain is like an army leader: Ashwin
It is expected that the sombre mood of the Indian dressing room on the back of the series loss has been compounded by the several question marks raised over Dhoni's captaincy, but Ashwin asserted that there is no such air of negativity.
"Honestly, the Indian dressing room environment is not down despite the loss. The mood of the team is getting better; losing (this series) is not the end of it. We had a quiet couple of days. We would just like to finish it on a high. We would like to win the third ODI. Every member of the Indian team is fit for tomorrow's game."
On the pressure his India and Chennai Super Kings captain is under, he said, "Dhoni is a legend of the game. He has done so much for Indian cricket. This is almost like an army where you have put your weight behind the captain.
"Giving up captaincy is an individual decision."