Ashwin's sarcastic reply to journalist questioning Jonny Bairstow controversial stumping: 'I would be...'

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Ravichandran Ashwin has given a sarcastic reply to Indian journalist Rajdeep Sardesai after he questioned the off-spinner for backing Jonny Bairstow's controversial run out during the second Ashes 2023 Test match at Lord's in London.

On Sunday, a major 'Spirit of Cricket' debate erupted after Carey ran Bairstow out with his underarm throw on the final delivery of the 52nd over. After ducking a short delivery from Cameron Green, Bairstow instantly moved out of his crease towards his partner Ben Stokes.

Usually batters check with the keeper or players in the slip cordon to ensure the ball is dead. The brain fade moment from Bairstow saw him just walk outside the crease almost instantly after leaving the short delivery from Green.

Carey showed great presence of mind and rolled an underarm throw to dismantle the stumps. With Bairstow nowhere to be seen in the frame, the umpire accepted the appeal from Australians and raised his fingers to signal Bairstow out.

As the cricket fraternity got divided over the mode of dismissal and a few harshly slammed Australia and Alex Carey, Ashwin came to their rescue and tweeted, ""We must get one fact loud and clear. The keeper would never have a dip at the stumps from that far out in a test match unless he or his team have noticed a pattern of the batter leaving his crease after leaving a ball like Bairstow did. We must applaud the game smarts of the individual rather than skewing it towards unfair play or spirit of the game."

Ashwin's savage reply to Sardesai

The Indian journalist on Tuesday asked if Ashwin would have liked someone dismissing him in that fashion.

"Sorry to bang on about this but I do love the game.. To my friend @ashwinravi99 and all those who believe that Johnny Bairstow was fairly OUT .. I have a simple Qs: would you be happy if you were given out in that way? That’s the real test. Do unto others what you would do to yourself! #Bairstow," Sardesai tweeted.

Ashwin, who is gearing up for the West Indies Test, came up with a blunt reply as said, "I would be disappointed, very disappointed, in fact gutted with myself for getting out like that."

Ashwin, known to be one of the most intelligent cricketers to have played the game, ran out Jos Buttler at the non-striker's end a few years ago in the IPL. A 'Spirit of Cricket' debate had erupted back then as well. The ICC later changed the rule and said running out the batter at non-striker's end would not be considered as an unfair means from now on, and it will be called a legitimate run-out dismissal.