Gautam Gambhir vs Curator Controversy: R Ashwin Reacts, Calls Anger a Strength for Team India

What has always provoked India?

Ashwin recalled some important moments of the past years when Team India drew strength from anger and insult. He said that when the team is pushed against the wall, the players bring out the most intense energy within themselves. Ashwin said that whenever there is a dispute or the opponent crosses any kind of 'line', then the Indian team changes completely.

The former off-spinner understood this by watching the video that the tussle between Fortis and Gambhir would have a direct impact on the players. He is sure that Shubman Gill and his teammates will take this incident to heart and take the field, and give a befitting reply to England in the final Test.

The story from Monkeygate to Gabba

Ashwin reminded that this is not the first time something like this has happened. He mentioned the 2008 'Monkeygate' controversy, when the matter between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds was counted among the most controversial incidents in Test cricket. In that series, India made a strong comeback after the controversy.
He also recalled the Gabba Test. Without many senior players, a young Indian team defeated Australia in their strongest fortress. And then the Lord's Test, where Virat Kohli told the team, "Make 60 overs hell," and the team did just that.
All these anecdotes had one purpose - to show that the Indian team is more lethal in adverse conditions, and this time too, Ashwin is seeing the same energy.

Gambhir's anger: A statement or strategy?

It would probably not be right to consider Gambhir's behaviour as just an emotional reaction. Ashwin believes that such clashes sometimes happen deliberately, so that unity and anger are created in the team. Gambhir himself has been a player who used to adopt an aggressive attitude on the field, and now, as a coach, he is probably trying to adopt the same attitude.

According to Ashwin, when the team feel that they have been insulted or the opponent is taking them lightly, then the attitude of every player changes. Their performance gets sharper.

Impact on Shubman Gill and other young players

Ashwin is sure that players like Gill will not take this incident lightly. He will take this controversy as a signal for himself – that now is the time to perform. He said that many players in the Indian team keep themselves calm, but are fireballs from within, and such controversies help them to come out.

Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, these names may sound young, but according to Ashwin, all of them have the passion that comes out in difficult situations.

Did England make a mistake?

Ashwin also hinted that the England team should not think that India will tolerate it silently every time. He feels that Fortis has probably made a mistake, and this mistake can cost England heavily.

He said that when opponents take such steps, they break the sleep of the Indian team, and it is not easy for any team to compete with the awakened Team India.

"After all that, when I saw the video of that fight today, I am thinking, 'Boss, what are you guys doing?' This is not how you want to play against this Indian team. I have always seen that when adversity strikes the Indian team, however it may be, someone will rise up. When things are not going right, or when we are pushed against the wall, the Indian team is a different kettle of fish; it becomes a different beast," Ashwin said in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.

"When such an incident occurs, those sleeping beasts, the individually brilliant players, will come together. I have seen that many times. You look at any kind of adversity. When that Monkeygate incident happened, you saw how we played in the next Test. Look at what happened at the Gabba, look at what happened at the Lord's, where Virat said, '60 overs of hell'. It galvanises the team," said Ashwin.

In which direction will this controversy take the match?

Now that all this has happened, the atmosphere in the match is sure to be heated. The difference in the language, body language and energy of the players will be clearly visible. Ashwin believes that if England play good cricket and India keep making mistakes, then the effect of this controversy will not be seen. However, if India takes it as an inspiration, then the direction of the match can be one-sided.

What is the advantage for India?

Ashwin said that this controversy can actually go in India's favor. India are already lagging behind in the series and is looking for a comeback. In such a situation, any incident that unites the team, prepares them emotionally, can be the icing on the cake.

He believes that Team India has many players who can turn the match around with their individual performance. However, the strength of the team is revealed the most when these players play unitedly, and this controversy has probably given that unity.

What does Ashwin's statement mean?

The essence of Ashwin's words is that the Indian team runs on emotions. When they feel that the opponent is considering them weak, then their real game comes to the fore.

He wants Gill and the rest of the young players to take this incident as a message – that now it is enough. Now the answer has to be given in the field, and this answer will be given by scoring runs, taking wickets and winning the Test.

Opinion: This altercation is a spark

This altercation is the beginning of a bigger battle. What Gambhir did was probably intentional. He gave his players a reason – anger, passion, and a feeling of revenge. Such moments in cricket sometimes become the biggest motivation.

We think Fortis and the English management have probably played with fire. Team India will now look in a more dangerous mood than before. The last Test has become a war, and the one who can channelise the anger in the right direction will win it.

This altercation between Gambhir and Fortis is no longer just a debate between two people. It has now become an emotional issue, and the Indian team gives their best when it is emotional. What Ashwin said goes to the root of many of India's past victories. If history has taught us anything, it's that India tend to win when they are angry. It remains to be seen whether Gill and Co. turn this fire into light, or whether the controversy will go up in smoke.