The discussion in Abu Dhabi went viral on social media when Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore met for the 2nd time at IPL 2020.
Ricky Ponting, who was out on the field, during a strategic time-out, was seen arguing with Royal Challengers Bangalore players and support staff, including Virat Kohli and Simon Katich. The Delhi Capitals coach, it seems, was defending the team’s decision to not have R Ashwin on the field after the off-spinner picked up a minor injury.
R Ashwin, in his YoTube show on Wednesday, revealed there was a usual heated moment on the field as the two sides were battling for 2 crucial points at the Zayed Stadium. The off-spinner said Ricky Ponting was having a few words with the opposition camp, saying their decision to not let him field after his 4 overs was due to the injury concerns and nothing else.
Fans were left wondering as to what had transpired on the field when Ponting and Kohli were having a heated discussion in the middle but R Ashwin has put a full stop to the speculation.
“I had a back problem when I ran. It was a terrible pain. They took MRI scans and it was traced to a nerve pull on my back. I went off after bowling. The opposition thought, I bowled 4 overs and went in. They asked ‘How can that be done?’.
“Ricky, we all know, never backs off from a fight. And when RCB questioned, he said we aren’t like that. It was just at the heat of the moment,” R Ashwin said.
‘Have always loved bowling to Virat’
Notably, Delhi Capitals won their encounter against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Abu Dhabi by 6 wickets as they comfortably gunned down a 153-run target. It was R Ashwin who picked up the big wicket of Virat Kohli to break a 57-run stand for the 2nd wicket between the RCB captain and opener Devdutt Padikkal.
R Ashwin said it was a delightful moment for him as Virat Kohli had been determined to not give his wicket away to his India teammate in the recent past.
“I have always loved bowling to Virat. He would never take chances against me. Would not give his wicket; it was a matter of pride for him. MS Dhoni also, is like that. It was a happy and a pleasing moment; a personal justification of sorts,” Ashwin said.
Delhi Capitals’ run at IPL 2020 came to an end in the final as they were comfortably outclassed by Mumbai Indians in Dubai on Tuesday. Under Ricky Ponting’s watch, DC reached their first final in the history of the IPL and are looking set to pose tough challenges in the future.
Source: India Today
