'What I said and what people are understanding is completely different' - Ravichandran Ashwin explains 'colleagues not friends' comment

Ravichandran Ashwin is second on the list of highest wicket-takers for India in Test cricket. In 94 Tests, the off-spinner has picked up 489 wickets. Ashwin recently sent shockwaves around the cricketing world after he said that modern-day cricketers are colleagues and not friends. This statement came shortly after he was not picked in the playing XI for the World Test Championship final against Australia in June.

Some fans sided with Ashwin's opinion while others were taken aback at his boldness. In a recent interview, however, the legendary bowler cleared the air regarding his statement, saying that the meaning was misunderstood. He clarified that because there are different teams for different formats nowadays, players don't get to spend much time together like before and that is why they don't end up being friends.

"What I said and what people are understanding are 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. You have to keep that competitive spirit burning to be able to compete," the 36-year-old said in an interview with the Times of India.

Ravichandran Ashwin could be left out of India's squad for ODI World Cup 2023

India have preferred wrist spinners in the last few years over finger spinners in white-ball cricket. Ravindra Jadeja keeps his spot due to his all-round abilities while the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravi Bishnoi are rotated every now and then.

It will be interesting to see if India opts to have Ashwin, who last played an ODI versus South Africa in January 2022, in their squad for the upcoming 50-over World Cup. The Tamil Nadu cricketer was part of the team that won the 2011 ODI World Cup and if the selectors want to go in with experience, Ashwin could get the nod. However, it seems quite unlikely as the wrist spinners have fared decently in recent times.