Published: Mar 05, 2015, 02:21 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 05, 2015, 02:21 PM (IST)
Perth: Although India are playing the West Indies on Friday at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, the Virat Kohli incident has hogged the limelight. The media has been swarmed with reports of the ill-tempered rant directed at a journalist, with the general feeling being that it was unbecoming of an Indian Test captain. As Ravichandran Ashwin, the Indian off-spinner, addressed the media on the eve of the game, he said he did not know what had happened and said that the media were in Australia to support the Indian team. Virat Kohli misses press conference after controversy involving Indian cricket journalist
When asked about the Kohli incident and its bearing on the game against the West Indies on Friday, Ashwin said, “Honestly, I do not know what’s happened. It’s definitely not in my jurisdiction. I do not know what’s happened. I’m very honest about it. Having said that going forward in tomorrow’s game, I think we’ll give it the best and see how it goes.” India vs West Indies, ICC World Cup 2015 Pool B match 28 at WACA, Perth: Preview
The media has been kept at a distance from the Indian players during the ICC World Cup 2015 and Ashwin was asked about his views of the media. “Media are here to support us. It’s very heartening to see the media turn up in so many huge numbers and try to support us. But I mean, this is my take on it. I think the media has a responsible way of taking cricket back home in a responsible fashion, taking cricket to the public in the way it needs to be taken,” Ashwin said. Mohammed Shami bowls in the nets ahead of India vs West Indies World Cup match
Ashwin also said that there are times when he does not agree with the media but the journalists also support the cricketers’ cause. “There are times when I’m not happy with that, but that’s my opinion. But there are other times when you support the players and it’s very important to take the game forward,” he said. Ashwin ready for West Indies’ big-hitters in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 match
Jason Holder, the West Indies captain, was asked about the ‘distractions’ in the Indian camp, and he said that he was not aware of it. “Well, to be honest, you’ve just made me aware of it. I wasn’t really following or aware of any problems with India. Obviously, we just need to do what is required of us. We just need to execute our plans and be aggressive towards them. Once we start being aggressive towards it sets the tone for the rest of the game,” Holder said.
India will play the West Indies on Friday in an important game at the WACA, Perth. While India are at the top of the table and are looking to maintain that spot, West Indies want to get their campaign back on track after a defeat against South Africa.
