Senior India off-spinner R Ashwin has given a strong reply to former England captain Michael Vaughan’s comment of India being an “underachieving” team.
A couple of weeks ago, speaking with Fox Cricket during the Pakistan vs Australia Test match at the MCG, Vaughan was asked whether India, who have not won an ICC trophy at the senior men’s level, is an “underachieving” team.
The 2005 Ashes-winning captain concurred, pointing out the lack of an ICC title despite the riches, talents, and experience in the Indian team.
“They haven’t won much in recent times. I think they are (an underachieving side). They don’t win anything. When was the last time they won something? With all the talent they have, all the skill-set (they should have achieved more,” said Vaughan.
Our Test team has been one of the best traveling teams: R Ashwin
Speaking on his YouTube channel, R Ashwin didn’t hold back when replying to Vaughan’s comments. The 37-year-old off-spinner admitted that India hasn’t won an ICC title, but hailed the Test side as one of the best traveling teams in the world.
India have won two Test series in Australia – no Asian team has won a single Test series Down Under – and returned with drawn series in England in 2021/22 and South Africa in 2023/24 recently.
“Michael Vaughan made a statement after the first Test that India is an underachieving team. Yes, we haven’t won ICC trophies for years. We call ourselves the powerhouses of the game. But the Test team has been one of the best traveling teams in the vicinity. We have seen many great results,” Ashwin said.
R Ashwin asserted that Vaughan’s opinion forced the Indian ex-cricketers to also question Team India, which had been at the top of the ICC Test ranking for most parts since 2015 and has not lost a single home Test series since 2013.
Thanks Michael Vaughan for the comments. You did India a big favour #michaelvaughan https://t.co/QsebTojVeV
— boumazooka (@bumbadas259) January 3, 2024
“After he said that, so many experts from our own country started questioning if India is an underachieving team. Frankly, it made me laugh.”