Ravichandran Ashwin shuts reporter with hilarious reply to batting order question

Many concerns were voiced regarding the Rajasthan Royals' plan of attack against Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League 2023 match as Ravichandran Ashwin stepped in to bat at the No. 5 position. Even though Ashwin eventually scored a 22-ball 30, some questioned whether his elevation in the batting order had slowed RR's rate of run production.

During the press conference, Ashwin was questioned about his opinions on the matter, and the Royals all-rounder's response left the interviewer perplexed. Some others believe Ashwin came out to bat "on his own suggestion". The seasoned cricketer thought this supposition was absurd, though.

'People do tend up believing that I pad up and I run in' - Ravichandran Ashwin

"Sir, I don't understand; how can I walk into bat on my own suggestion? If I could do that... I mean, I am surprised people do tend up believing that I pad up and I run in. It never works like that. I don't discuss. To be fair, every single match that we play, I am padded up, either as a showpiece or a batsman. I am just padded up; I am ready to go in anytime," Ashwin said in the press conference.

"If you put a batter in that position and ask them to go at any order, they might not willingly do it for any position. But for someone like me who doesn't bat as much throughout the season, I am glad that I am getting an opportunity at least to pad up," Ashwin elaborated.

For his all-around performance against his previous team CSK, Ashwin was named the Player of the Match. Along with scoring 30 runs off just 22 deliveries, the 37-year-old was essential in halting Chennai's run-scoring momentum in the middle overs.

The off-spinner, born in Tamil Nadu, took 2 wickets for just 25 runs in his 4 allotted overs. Just as Chennai appeared to be coasting to victory in the equation, Ashwin got Rajasthan back into the match with the dismissals of Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube.