Ravichandran Ashwin, Cheteshwar Pujara share their sledge to Australia
Bengaluru: Australia skipper Steve Smith came under heavy criticism after he was caught looking at the dressing room for help with a DRS referral in the Bengaluru Test. The incident has taken Ravichandran Ashwin by surprise and the bowler has termed it “completely unheard of”.
Read: Shamefaced Cricket Australia now call Virat Kohli's DRS comments 'outrageous'
"Steven Smith actually turned back and asked the dressing room if he could take a review. That is completely unheard of,” said Ashwin speaking to his team-mate Cheteshwar Pujara in a bcci.tv video. “The last time I thought that to happen was in an Under-10 game, when my coach used to suggest where point fielders and cover fielders used to stand.
"It was really surprising. I have a lot of respect for Steven Smith, but that was very very surprising."
Read: BCCI backs Kohli after Cricket Australia’s 'outrageous' remark
Pujara revealed in the video what he said to Australian opener David Warner to unsettle the batsman
"Well, see, they were talking a lot and probably sledging is something which, as a unit, we felt that we can give them back," Pujara said. "They were always under pressure when they walked in to bat, and I wanted to make sure their batsmen were thinking about it, especially David Warner. Whenever he walks in to bat, Ash (Ashwin) is always happy, so I always keep reminding him that Ash is the one who picks (up his wicket)."
Ashwin has dismissed Warner nine times over his career – including two times in the Bengaluru Test.
The world No. 1 Test bowler also shared his conversation with Australian batsman Matthew Renshaw.
"There was a lot of banter on the second day because we had to come back. We had to pump ourselves up," Ashwin said. "They were having a lot of chat on the park when we were actually going out to bat and we were down (on day one). It's very easy to have a chat when you're down. I told Matt Renshaw when he was batting in the first innings that if they didn't score big, I'll have them for soup and dessert. I was very happy it happened."
