Here’s Why KS Bharat Apologised To Ravichandran Ashwin: On Day 3 of the ongoing first Test match between India and New Zealand, Ravi Ashwin and Axar Patel put up a stellar show with the ball as they trapped the Kiwis into taking risks with the bat. They successfully restricted the Black Caps on 296 runs.
Day 3 of the 1st Test match also saw, uncapped player KS Bharat replacing Wriddhiman Saha behind the stumps. Before the start of the play, the BCCI had announced the decision, informing that Saha is being treated by the medical team as he has stifness in his neck.
UPDATE – Wriddhiman Saha has stiffness in his neck. The BCCI medical team is treating him and monitoring his progress. KS Bharat will be keeping wickets in his absence.#INDvNZ @Paytm
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 27, 2021
Later, after the match, ‘super substitute’ KS Bharat apologized to off-spinner Ravi Ashwin for his on-field goof-up and explained why he suggested against taking the DRS call. In a video uploaded by the BCCI, Ashwin can be seen talking to Axar Patel and KS Bharat.
In the interview, Ashwin can be seen interviewing Axar Patel and KS Bharat, he asked the KS Bharat why he stopped him from taking the review when the batter was clearly not out. He said:
“I am so sorry. I was so confident that it hit his bat but when we saw that slow-motion it hit his front pad and then back pad. I am so sorry for that.”
Responding to this, on a lighter note, Ashwin said: “You know how I felt, I appealed in so much excitement that Jinx (Ajinkya Rahane) also got excited and he (KS Bharat) said no it hit his bat first then I went back to bowling.”
Special: @ashwinravi99 takes centre stage to interview Mr. Fifer @akshar2026 & Super sub @KonaBharat. ?
You don’t want to miss this rendezvous with the #TeamIndia trio after Day 3 of the Kanpur Test. ?- By @28anand
Full interview ?
#INDvNZ @Paytm https://t.co/KAycXfmiJG pic.twitter.com/jZcAmU41Nf
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 27, 2021
For the unversed, what happened was, a few moments following the dismissal of opener Will young, Ashwin though that he had dismissed Tom Latham, who was batting on 66 runs at that moment. Ashwin strongly appealed for an LBW decision after the ball hit the left-hander’s pad. However, the umpire signalled not-out.
Ravi Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane had a long discussion with KS Bharat, after which the stand-in skipper decided against reviewing the decision. However, the replay showed the ball was going on to hit the stumps and Latham was clearly out. After getting a life-line, Latham went on to add 31 more runs and was eventually dismissed by Axar Patel on 95 runs.