Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has put his weight behind Ravi Bishnoi after the leg-spinner had an off-day at work in the second T20I against England at Old Trafford. Manchester on Saturday. 

Bishnoi conceded 60 runs in his quota of four overs as he was not up to the mark. The leg-spinner was taken for 29 runs in the 17th over by Jacob Bethell, and it turned out to be the game-changing moment.

Ashwin highlighted that while criticism is fair, it shouldn’t turn into disrespect.

“It’s very disrespectful. Out of 1.6 billion people, or probably even more now, one person is playing for India; that’s considered a legend. Since when has representing India become so easy? It’s wrong. I’m not saying don’t criticize players. Criticize them. But there’s a huge difference between criticism and disrespect. Even this morning, I saw a video where someone was mocking a player through gestures. It’s not nice. It’s not in good taste.”

“I don’t know where all this is heading. How are players supposed to deal with this constant trolling on social media? It’s just not right. I don’t know how we’re ever going to teach people where to draw the line. Ravi Bishnoi is a good cricketer. Of course, there are areas where he can improve, and we’ve discussed those shortcomings before. That’s fine,” he added.

Ashwin also questioned back-foot no-balls and highlighted if anyone has ever looked at T20 cricket from a bowler’s point of view.

“I think it’s time to revisit the side-line no ball rule. It’s such an old rule. Has anyone ever looked at T20 cricket from a bowler’s perspective? Please do. Bowlers have very few options to work with. The boundaries are small, there’s very little assistance for spin these days, and spinners are gradually losing their impact. Why wouldn’t that happen when the conditions offer so little to bowlers?”

The third T20I between England and India will be played at Nottingham on Tuesday.