‘Even Sachin Tendulkar won the World Cup in his sixth attempt’: Ravichandran Ashwin questions critics

India’s inability to win International Cricket Council (ICC) events has been a major talking point over the past few years. The last time Men in Blue won an ICC Trophy was ten years back when they lifted the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy under the captainship of world’s most decorated skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Discussing about the team’s impotence in winning ICC events on his official YouTube channel, India’s veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin backed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The 36-year-old termed the criticism over not winning a world cup or any other major ICC event unjustified, and he even questioned the critics giving an example of legendary Sachin Tendulkar. The Tamil Nadu cricketer also talked about Dhoni’s triumph and hailed him as a stalwart.

“Even Sachin Tendulkar won the World Cup in his sixth attempt. That was the situation for a stalwart of Indian cricket. Just because another stalwart in MS Dhoni came in and won a World Cup as soon as he took charge, doesn’t mean that it will happen for everyone, right?” said Ashwin.

Notably, India currently in their cabinet have three world cups along with an ICC Champions Trophy, and three of those four titles came under the leadership of Dhoni.

Ashwin also pointed out that both Virat and Rohit have won a few major ICC events and should be given some more time.

“Virat Kohli won ICC tournament in 2011 (World Cup), and 2013 when we won the Champions Trophy. Rohit Sharma has also won the Champions Trophy. So, we can give them some space. They are playing in bilateral series, IPL and so many other matches. But when it comes to ICC tournaments, you need those crux moments to go your way,” he added.

The Men in Blue last won a world cup tournament in 2011 on home soil, and there is a chance to once again repeat the triumph as India will be hosting an ODI World Cup event in October-November this year.