“We can’t protect such players,” R Ashwin’s blunt statement on Indian cricket while heaping praise on Cameron Green

He praised countries like Australia and England for grooming players like Green, saying that India cannot do the same for a long time.


“We can’t protect such players,” R Ashwin’s blunt statement on Indian cricket while heaping praise on Cameron Green

Cameron Green; R Ashwin

Cameron Green has been impressive in the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. He notched up his maiden Test hundred and ended his knock after scoring 114 runs.

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After Day 2’s play, India’s star all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, who trapped Green to end the huge 208-run stand between Green and Khawaja, heaped praise on the former’s batting. Ashwin pointed towards the whopping amount Green fetched in the auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, where the 23-year-old was roped in by the Mumbai Indians for a staggering Rs 17.5 crore. Ashwin stressed on the amount Green signed with the MI to show how highly regarded he is in the Indian cricket fraternity.

I think he is a fantastic player. Just the raw material he has, tall, lovely levers, good batting sense, can hit the deck hard while bowling, moves pretty well; these are once-in-a-generation cricketers that you are talking about,” Ashwin answered to the question from one of the Australian journalist after Day 2’s play on Friday.

Related: Indian Premier League (IPL) Preview 2023

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R Ashwin expects Cameron Green to be a wonderful cricketer

R Ashwin's blunt statement on Indian cricket while heaping praise on Cameron Green
Cameron Green

Though Cameron Green hogged the limelight for his brilliant knock against India, Ravichandran Ashwin observed that players like him are protected in his country which is contrasting with what he sees in India. He praised countries like Australia and England for grooming players like Green, saying that India cannot do the same for a long time.

However, we come from different countries. We can’t protect such players for longer periods of time. It is perform or perish (in India). In countries like Australia and England, these cricketers are groomed pretty well. Expect Cameron Green to be a wonderful cricketer down the line,” Ashwin added.

Cameron Green and Usman Khawaja were the two centurions from the visitors’ side. Khawaja scored the most, with his 180-run knock. These tons were the duo’s maiden Test tons in India. Their scores, plus small contributions from other batters took them to 480, with Ashwin finishing with a six-wicket haul amongst the Indian bowlers.

India have comfortably chased down the total and are 88 runs ahead of the tourists. From India’s side, Virat Kohli slammed 186 runs, while Shubman Gill whacked his second Test ton and maiden one at home. India eventually were bowled out on 571. Nightwatchman Matthew Kuhnemann and opener Travis Head will start Day 5’s batting from 0 and 3* respectively.

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Only Australia’s collapse can produce a result in this match or it will eventually end in a draw. If the draw happens, then India will only enter the ICC World Test Championship Final if Sri Lanka fail to whitewash New Zealand.

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