'Just wake me up when it's all over' - Ravichandran Ashwin reveals how he felt when Virat Kohli hit a ball up in the air during IND-AUS tie

India picked up two crucial points to begin their ODI World Cup 2023 campaign on a high as they beat Australia by six wickets in a pulsating encounter at Chepauk on Sunday, October 8. Virat Kohli capitalised on a catch drop and made Australia pay by scoring a majestic 85 off 116 balls.

Chasing a tricky target of 200, India were reeling at 2/3 at the end of two overs. The onus was on Kohli and KL Rahul to resurrect India's innings. They battled it out against the formidable pace troika of Australia but the former India captain miscued a pull shot off Josh Hazlewood in the eighth over. Mitchell Marsh ran in from mid-wicket but couldn't grab onto a straightforward chance. Kohli was batting on 12 at that point.

Star Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin stated after the match that he ran out of the dressing room when Kohli hit the ball in the air. As Marsh dropped the catch, the crowd erupted in joy. A relieved Ashwin went back inside the dressing room upon hearing the roar from the fans.

"When I saw Virat Kohli's ball go up in the air, I ran outside the dressing room.I literally ran all the way outside. I didn't know what to do. I was like 'just wake me up when it's all over'. It was that sort of a feeling," Ashwin told Star Sports after India's victory.

"Look, I think we have found ourselves in this sort of situation in important big games. When you play Australia, it's never a small game. You do well, shot them off for 199. You think you are going to coast home and then the last thing you want is Virat Kohli getting out like that. The moment the crowd erupted, I ran back into the dressing room. I stood in the same place for the entire innings. My feet is actually paining," he added.

Ravichandran Ashwin revealed he was asked to stay ready for ODI World Cup 2023

Interestingly enough, during the post-match discussion with the broadcasters, the ace spinner revealed that he was asked by Team India skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid to remain on alert and prepared for the ODI World Cup 2023. Should a need arise, Ashwin will most likely get a chance to play for India on the global stage.

Hence to prepare himself, Ravichandran Ashwin played some club-level games to keep himself in the rhythm. However, he also did not shy away from adding that even after being asked to remain available for the selection, the ace off-spinner further mentioned that he jokingly told the captain-coach duo to better not remember him at all for the marquee event.

"It was more like a Mayday call, I was chilling at home, played a couple of club games but Rohit and Rahul [Dravid] had told me that if there is a situation we will come back to you, I just told them jokingly that hope you never come back to me [smiles]," Ashwin stated to broadcasters post the match.

The commentators felt that it could turn out to be the turning point of the match and they were spot on. The Delhi batter played a fine knock alongside Rahul and took India within touching distance of their first victory in the ODI World Cup. After Kohli's dismissal, Hardik Pandya and Rahul took the hosts over the line with a quickfire 34-run unbeaten partnership.

Also Check: List of Virat Kohli international & IPL centuries