NEW DELHI: Star Rajasthan Royals (RR) spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday revealed that he challenged Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Virat Kohli ahead of IPL 2024 Eliminator in Ahmedabad.
Led by Trent Boult (4-0-16-1), who produced an opening spell of 3-0-6-1, RR bowlers kept taking wickets at crucial stages to control the game as RR restricted RCB to 172/8 on Wednesday.
The venerable Ravichandran Ashwin (4-0-19-2), who had previously endured a significant wicketless stretch, made a decisive impact by dismissing Cameron Green (27) and Glenn Maxwell (0) on consecutive deliveries.
Ashwin texted Kohli saying 'let's fight it one more time' as both RR and RCB battle in a do-or-die match for a place in Qualifier 2.
"It's been a tournament of two halves for me. First half into the tournament I was struggling coming from the Test series with injuries. Last few games I feel I am bowling really well. I texted Virat saying come on let's fight it one more time (smiles)," Ashwin said at the mid-innings break.
"The IPL committee has done well overall in the tournament to manage the dew. (On RR's recent poor batting efforts) Got to reset button. Also got to look at the pitches we played on in those games. Not hiding behind the fact that we didn't bat well in the last few games but it's just about hitting the reset button, go out and enjoy in the middle. (On the total) I think it's par-minus," Ashwin added.
