Former India off-spinner R Ashwin has criticized England’s approach in the recently concluded white-ball series against India, in which England lost the T20Is 1-4 and the ODIs 0-3.
“To see such a talented England side perform in such a way was disappointing and sad,” Ashwin said on his Hindi YouTube channel, “Ash Ki Baat.”
Ashwin still feels that England can turn their fortunes around in the Champions Trophy.
“It is not that they don’t have the ability. I am sticking my nek out and will again that this is a top-class England side, but they have taken this ODI series against India very lightly. And England might look a completely different side in Pakistan during the Champions Trophy. If they don’t look a better team, I’d be very disappointed,” he said.
Ashwin on Duckett
After the loss in the second ODI, England opener Ben Duckett had said he did not care if England endured a series whitewash in India, so long as he and his teammates beat the same opponents in the final of the Champions Trophy.
“If we lose 3-0 to India, I don’t care as long as we beat them in the final in the Champions Trophy. No one will probably look back on this series if we go and do the business in that competition,” he told reporters in Cuttack.
Ben Duckett of England reacting during the 2nd ODI match between India and England held at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, India on the 9th February 2025. (Sportzpics)
Ashwin slammed Duckett for hiding England’s poor performance behind a joke. Ashwin also recollected Duckett’s comment on Yashasvi Jaiswal during the Test series in 2024, where they were hammered 1-4 by India. After day three of the third Test where Jaiswal slammed his third century, Duckett said: “When you see players from the opposition playing like that, it almost feels like we should take some credit that they’re playing differently than how other people play Test cricket.”
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Ashwin said: “No matter what Ben Duckett says but going into the Champions Trophy This series loss will create a big dent to their confidence”
“Ben Duckett has said similar things in the past too, saying Yashasvi Jaiswal has learnt playing aggressive cricket from England’s bazball style. I know Ben Duckett and his penchant for humour.. but this was no joke and it is like you are hiding your failures behind a humour.
“Your 2023 ODI WC were pretty bad as well. It isn’t like they are in a bad form over 2-3 months. It has been the case for four years now. Despite having such a talented group they are not able to justify their potential.”
Ashwin on Ben Stokes
R Ashwin also slammed England Test captain Ben Stokes, who has recently criticised the points system of the World Test Championship (WTC).
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“Even in Test cricket, I read somewhere a few days ago that how Ben Stokes said that he doesn’t understand the points system of the WTC,” he said.
Ben Stokes expresses his disappointment of points deduction on social media (AP)
“My only advice to him is that if you don’t understand the points system, then first go and understand it.
“This is not a joke. Every time you lose, you bring up such lame excuses.
“If India have played the way England are playing their cricket now, do you think we would have same captain and coach continue to be at the helm.
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“After coming to India, they discuss about the pitch conditions, the kind of food they receive at the hotel…. everything but cricket,” he said.
