R Ashwin silences trolls after furore over comparison between CSK ban and Man U air crash

New Delhi, July 20: India's bowling mainstay Ravichandran Ashwin came under fire over social media after the off-spinner compared Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) return.

The Tamil Nadu spinner while speaking about CSK's return in the league said, the team's return following two-years' ban will increase its value much like what it did to Manchester United post 1958 Munich air crash tragedy.

"I think the two-year hiatus for CSK probably increases its value much like what it did for Manchester United when the air crash happened," Ashwin, who played for Super Kings between 2009-15, was quoted by a Times of India report.

"I don't know if it's in the same league but surely people in Chennai and fans across the world are waiting for CSK to return. I hope it turns out to be a good comeback," he added.

The CSK made a comeback after completing their two-year suspension from the IPL on July 14. The most popular franchise of the IPL will now be featuring in the eleventh edition of the cash-rich league in 2018.

The Manchester United squad while returning home from a European Cup match in Belgrade on February 6, 1958 met a tragic fate when their British European Airways flight crashed on take-off following a refuelling stop. 23 people, including eight of Manchester United's players, died in the tragedy.

Man U saw an immense rise in supporters following the tragedy. Ten years later, Man U - including two survivors of the crash, Bobby Charlton and Bill Foulkes - became the first English winners of the European Cup.

Ashwin's comparison, perhaps, didn't go down well with many who took to Twitter to criticise the cricketer.

With a simple statement being misconstrued and blown out of proportion Ashwin took to Twitter to slam trolls asking them to take the reporting with a pinch of salt.

The 30-year-old clarified over his statement and even took dig at trolls.

"Guys please take the reporting with a pinch of salt with respect to the Munich tragedy and CSK. All I said was the break will make the fans turn up in numbers when the come back happens. Not required to blow it out of context," he wrote on his Twitter handle.

Here's how the cricketer was criticised and how he silenced the trolls:

OneIndia News