Why Does Ravichandran Ashwin Talk To Mohammed Shami In Tamil?

image-lpmkj0dtTeam India in hurdle (Twitter)

In a candid revelation during an interview on the "What the Duck" show with host Vikram Sathaye, Dinesh Karthik shared insights into the unique bond between Mohammad Shami and Ravichandran Ashwin in the Indian Cricket Team. 

During the interaction, Karthik playfully interrupted to shed light on how Ashwin and Shami communicate with each other. When prompted to elaborate, Ashwin opened up about the special relationship he shares with Shami, emphasising its effectiveness.

Ashwin opened up about the hilarious conversation he had with Mohammad Shami.

Interrupting the conversation, Dinesh Karthik mentioned that Mohammad Shami and Ashwin converse in Tamil.

Ashwin recounted a specific instance during a game against England, highlighting how their communication and understanding on the field have consistently proven successful. 

Talking to the host, he said: "I speak Tamil with Shami and seriously it's worked every single time. Somehow, I think our communication has worked. Language is not a barrier for us, I feel, on a very lighter note. The first instance was during our home season with England. We were playing that Test match in Mohali where England had gotten ahead of us. They were like six wickets down and had a lead of 60. Hasib Hameed and Chris Woakes were batting and they put on some 40-50 runs in between and the partnership was making us uncomfortable. We didn't want to chase 200, 150, 180 or whatever". 

In a game, frustration crept in for Ashwin when Shami bowled a half volley, resulting in a boundary. Expressing his discontent, Ashwin promptly approached the bowler and communicated in Tamil, suggesting that if he were in Shami's shoes, he would prioritise taking wickets over conceding boundaries. Considering this as a motivation, Shami picked up two wickets. The player also mentioned that he continues to do the same ever since that incident happened. 

"He just ran up and in a typical Shami fashion bowled a half volley and was hit for a boundary. So, I got frustrated and I said 'what the heck are you doing." 

"Having realised it was working with him, I went to him and encouraged him to keep bowling that way and the very next ball Adil Rashid was caught behind."


In the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup, Shami stepped up admirably to fill the significant void left by Hardik Pandya. Despite not clinching victory on the final day of the campaign, Shami emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, securing an impressive tally of 25 wickets.