'Shame On Those Who...': Ravichandran Ashwin Refutes Controversial Statement On India Vs Pakistan Asia Cup & WCL Match

Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has strongly denied a viral statement falsely attributed to him regarding the cancellation of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) match between India vs Pakistan and India’s continued participation in the Asia Cup, especially against Pakistan.

The fabricated quote, widely circulated on social media, falsely claimed that Ashwin had said, "SMALL MONEY IS INVOLVED SO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF LEGENDS GOT CANCELLED BUT INDIA IS STILL PLAYING AGAINST PAKISTAN IN ASIA CUP AND BCCI HASN'T CANCELLED IT BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY DECIDES THE LEVEL OF PATRIOTISM."

Reacting swiftly to the misinformation, Ashwin took to X (formerly Twitter) and rubbished the statement, urging people not to believe or promote such false narratives. In his post, he wrote, “Don’t associate me with this fake news. Shame on those who trigger all this.”

The baseless quote had sparked outrage online, as it appeared to suggest that financial incentives influenced India’s decision to continue playing against arch-rivals Pakistan, while a lower-profile tournament like the WCL was cancelled. However, Ashwin’s firm denial puts an end to any speculation around his alleged involvement in such a statement.

Ashwin, known for his articulate views and sharp cricketing mind, has never shied away from speaking out, but always with clarity, nuance, and responsibility. This fake quote, however, clearly crossed a line, prompting his quick and sharp rebuttal.

'Do You Think I Am Jealous Of You?': Harbhajan Singh & R. Ashwin Open Up About Rumoured Rift In Candid Chat; Video

Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin, two of India’s finest off-spinners, have long been the subject of speculation regarding a possible rivalry between them. With both playing key roles at different stages for Team India, fans and commentators have often wondered whether Ashwin’s rise coinciding with the end of Harbhajan’s career led to personal tension. Now, the two legends have addressed the matter directly in a heartfelt conversation.

In a new episode of Ashwin’s YouTube series Kutti Stories With Ash, the Tamil Nadu spinner invited Harbhajan for a candid discussion. The tone was friendly, but Ashwin did not shy away from touching upon the lingering rumours of jealousy and rivalry. Ashwin debuted in 2011, during the later years of Harbhajan’s international career, and soon took over the lead spinner role in the team.

Speaking honestly, Harbhajan dismissed the idea that he was ever jealous of Ashwin or any teammate. “Do you think I am jealous of you?” he asked Ashwin during the chat. “You are sitting with me today, talking at length. Do you think I am that kind of person?” His statement was a clear attempt to put the long-standing narrative to rest once and for all.

The conversation turned thoughtful when Ashwin said that jealousy, if it ever existed, is not inherently wrong. “Even if you were jealous at one point in time, I think it’s justified. That is my point, and I will never take it wrong because we are all human,” said Ashwin. His words reflected maturity and understanding of the emotional complexities in a competitive team environment.

Ashwin also noted that he himself has been the subject of speculation, such as claims that he was sidelined due to Washington Sundar’s rise. “All of this is just perspective,” he said, underlining how public opinions are often disconnected from the truth. Ultimately, their chat provided a refreshing moment of clarity, as both spinners showed there was never bad blood, just mutual respect and a shared passion for the game.