Ravichandran Ashwin, who announced his retirement from international cricket two months ago, did not hold back as he assessed the England side following their 0-3 whitewash at the hands of India in the ODI series in lead-up to the ICC Champions Trophy.

Ashwin, known for his honest takes, expressed disappointment over the way England approached the ODI series and suggested that he’s not been a fan of the statements thrown around by the English players in public.

He first took the case of Ben Duckett, who said before the third ODI that England will not care even if they lose 0-3 as their sole focus is on lifting the Champions Trophy.

“No matter what Ben Duckett says but going into the Champions Trophy This series loss will create a big dent to their confidence,” Ashwin said on his Hindi YouTube channel ‘Ash ki Baat’.

“Ben Duckett has said similar things in the past too, saying Yashasvi Jaiswal has learnt playing aggressive cricket from England’s bazball style. I know Ben Duckett and his penchant for humour.. but this was no joke and it is like you are hiding your failures behind a humour.

“Your 2023 ODI WC were pretty bad as well. It isn’t like they are in a bad form over 2-3 months. It has been the case for four years now. Despite having such a talented group they are not able to justify their potential.”

Ashwin then took the case of Ben Stokes and questioned the recent comments made by the England Test skipper. After the Three Lions failed to make it to the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, Stokes had claimed that he does not understand how the WTC system works.

“Even in Test cricket, I read somewhere a few days ago that how Ben Stokes said that he doesn’t understand the points system of the WTC,” Ashwin said.

“My only advice to him is that if you don’t understand the points system, then first go and understand it. 

“This is not a joke. You give all these reasons after losing. 

“If India played the way England are playing their cricket now, do you think we would have the same captain and coach continue to be at the helm?

“After coming to India, they discuss about the pitch conditions, the kind of food they receive at the hotel…. everything but cricket,” Ashwin said. 

Ashwin said that he would be ‘very very very disappointed’ if England do not put up a better showing at the Champions Trophy. 

“It’s not that England do not have the ability. I’m sticking my neck out and saying now that this England team has a lot of class. I think they took the India ODIs a bit lightly.

“I think England might look a different team in Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. If they don’t look a better team, I would be very, very, very disappointed.”