Indian Star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin came forward to explain his “teammates being colleagues” comments, The off-spinner said people understood his statement completely differently and didn’t mean it negatively, He continued to explain that earlier, because the tours used to be long, there was more scope for friendship as the teammates were almost same but now for every tour the teams will be different.
Ravichandran Ashwin Said:
“What I said and what people are understanding is completely different. What I meant was that earlier, because the tours used to be long, there was more scope for friendship. But these days we are constantly playing — different formats, different teams. One thing I have always believed is that when you are playing for different teams, it is very difficult to be friends.
“When you play IPL, for three months your (international) teammates end up becoming your opposition. When you play so much for different teams, I am not saying friendship doesn’t happen, but it is very difficult. But then again, that is the way of the world — the changing landscape — and I don’t think there is anything negative about it,” He added.
Ashwin’s Earlier Comment:
“Once upon a time when cricket was played, all your teammates were friends. Now, they are colleagues. There’s a big difference because here people are there to advance themselves and to stride ahead of another person sitting to your right or left. So, nobody’s got the time to say, ‘Okay, boss what are you up to’?”