Ravichandran Ashwin tweets prematurely, which backfires in IPL final

India’s premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is a figure who doesn’t shy away from social media and in particular from Twitter. Despite not playing for his side Rising Pune Supergiant this season, Ashwin was following the game and took to Twitter at the halfway mark saying, “This final looks like a match between Pune and scars inflicted by Pune.”

This final looks like a match between Pune and scars inflicted by Pune.#IPLfinal

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) May 21, 2017

The Rising Pune Supergiant had done exceedingly well to restrict a top-heavy Mumbai Indians side to just 129 in the first innings. Some brilliant bowling from pacer Jaydev Unadkat, who has been spurring Pune in recent times, saw RPS all over their neighbours Mumbai. 17-year old Washington Sundar was miserly as well.

However, the Supergiant blotched the chase and let their only chance of holding the cup slip away. Needing 130 to win, RPS were looking on course for an easy win. The Mumbai bowlers though clawed back into the game to defeat RPS by just 1 run, thus breaking the jinx built across all their encounters against the Supergiant this season.

Ashwin quick to laud Johnson

Meanwhile, Ashwin was quick to tweet and praise of Mitchell Johnson, who held his nerve in a thrilling final over to hand Mumbai a record third IPL title. Ravichandran Ashwin tweeted, “A great IPL to follow an outstanding BBL for #IPL10final.”

A great IPL to follow an outstanding BBL for @MitchJohnson398. ?#IPL10final

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) May 21, 2017

Ashwin also lauded Steve Smith’s effort, whose fifty was in vain on the night of the final. The skipper almost saw his side through but was dismissed in the final over of the match. He smashed Johnson over cover, only to find Ambati Rayudu at sweeper cover who latched on to a crucial catch under pressure.

The India off-spinner tweeted, Have to feel for @stevesmith49 , great knock under pressure. Bad luck @RPSupergiants, but have to hand it to @mipaltans. #3timechamps #IPL”

Have to feel for @stevesmith49 , great knock under pressure. Bad luck @RPSupergiants, but have to hand it to @mipaltans. #3timechamps #IPL

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) May 21, 2017

The offie is expected to return to the Indian squad for their Champions Trophy campaign which begins in June. Ashwin was in prolific form for Team India in the long home season. Bowling close to 750 overs across 13 Test matches in India, he bagged an astounding 81 wickets, which were instrumental in India’s 10 Test victories on home soil.