‘His ego was hurt’ - Dinesh Karthik after R Ashwin returns to form in Mumbai Test

Veteran India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin looked exceptional for team India on day 2 of the ongoing third Test against New Zealand. The 28-year-old had been under the radar due to his form with the ball since the last few matches. However, according to former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik, the criticism seems to have hurt Ashwin’s ego. 

In the second innings against New Zealand, Ashwin bowled 17 overs and conceded 63 runs to his name, taking three crucial wickets. Speaking of his performance, Karthik opined that Ashwin’s body language during the second innings looked different. 

“I saw a distinct body language. If you followed Ashwin closely, he's not a Virat Kohli type of personality who is in your face and aggressive. But there's a certain body language when you know he really wants to do well, the way he celebrates when he picks up a wicket, or the intensity that he feels,” Karthik was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. 

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“Today, I felt it for the first time this season. He was pushed to a place where he wanted to show, ‘no no, it’s enough. I've to show my skill set'. I don't think he was anywhere close to his best even today, but it was great to see his ego being hurt as a bowler, and him showing how he feels when that happens,” he added. 

India require 55 runs post lunch on day 3

Speaking of the ongoing clash between India and New Zealand, New Zealand posted a total of 174 runs in the second innings, giving India a target of 147 runs to chase.

As India, came out to chase the target, they lost a heap of early wickets as Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal departed for 11 and five runs while Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli scored one run each before Rishabh Pant stabilised the innings with a gritty half century.

By the time of lunch on day 3, India posted 92 runs with the loss of six wickets.