Ravichandran Ashwin gives the wittiest reply to Farokh Engineer

Indian spin ace and the No.1 bowler in the world Ravichandran Ashwin was at his wittiest best and won a lot of hearts with his brilliant speech during the BCCI Awards 2017. He also made up for a factual mistake made by former wicket-keeper Farokh Engineer during the show. Just as he gave the acceptance speech at the BCCI Awards 2017, Engineer enquired to Ashwin, “What’s there in Karnataka water that produces great spinners like Chandra (BS Chandrasekhar), Prasanna and you?”

Ashwin who originally hails from Tamil Nadu gave a brilliant reply that made everyone laugh. “Not to bring politics into it but we had some Cauvery water recently in Tamil Nadu! I think it should be that,” Ashwin said. Ashwin further said that the speech given by Engineer was the most romantic speeches he has ever heard.

“I have been fortunate enough to be a part of five MAK Pataudi Lectures. We have had Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and our coach Anil Kumble give speeches but none as romantic as the one Mr Engineer delivered today. It’s so romantic that it’s hissing around this stage. I think every Indian cricketer should learn about Indian cricket. Thank you for entertaining us,” Ashwin said.

Speaking about the India’s former spin duo of Bishen Singh Bedi and Erapalli Prasanna Ashwin said,”I just heard numbers (wickets) of Mr Bedi and Mr Prasanna and I will have to add my gully cricket wickets if I have to get near them! They are insane numbers. I don’t think I will ever be able to get near them. Stories of Mr Prasanna, getting a rope to dip the ball to batsman are part of Indian cricket’s folklore and I am happy to carry forward the tradition.”

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Speaking on what his captain Virat Kohli told him once after receiving the Dilip Sardesai Award for his incredible performance against West Indies Ashwin said,  “Virat said one thing before ‘if this team can achieve something special, we can create great memories’. We prepared a charter here. When we embarked on our journey, everyone was happy, we created more memories than playing great cricket there. My love affair with West Indies, I just think, sometimes when you know you have done well against a team, the edges also don’t carry to the fielder.”