• Source:JND
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Ravichandran Ashwin has explained his shocking remarks over teammates not being friends anymore as he claimed that there's some difference between what he said and what people are understanding. He also explained why it is difficult for Indian players to be friends these days.

It wasn't too long ago when Ashwin mentioned that the Indin players are more colleagues than friends and he said that he doesn't find anything 'negative' in the equation.

"What I said and what people are understanding is 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," he said.

 

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The off-spinner also mentioned the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a huge factor behind the lack of friendships within the team. The Indian players play against each other in the T20 leagues, leaving them with a passionate but competitive mindset in order to succeed.

"When you play IPL, for three months your (international) teammates end up becoming your opposition. When you play so much for different teams, I am not saying friendship doesn't happen, but it is very difficult. But then again, that is the way of the world -- the changing landscape -- and I don't think there is anything negative about it," he further explained.

The veteran bowler wasn't included in the playing eleven of the summit clash of the World Test Championship against Australia in June where the Rohit Sharma-led side suffered a disappointing loss of 209 runs to miss out on another ICC trophy.

Ashwin, after his exclusion made the sensational remark in which he claimed that there are no friends in the dressing room anymore but only colleagues.

 

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“This is an era where everybody is a colleague. Once upon a time when cricket was played, all your teammates were friends. Now, they’re colleagues. There’s a big difference because here people are there to advance themselves and to stride ahead of another person sitting to your right or left. So nobody’s got the time to say, ‘Okay, boss what are you up to’?” Ashwin had said.