R Ashwin sympathised with Riyan Parag on the vaping row that the Rajasthan Royals skipper has found himself engrossed but admitted that the batter deserved to get penalised for his actions. Parag came under the scanner for an off-field moment during the RR vs PBKS clash.
Parag was seen smoking an e-cigarette during the match and the moment was captured by the broadcasters and it quickly became a viral moment on social media.
The footage surfaced during the 16th over of Rajasthan’s chase of 223 in Mullanpur on April 28. Viewers were quick to notice the clip, and it soon gained traction online, becoming a major talking point among fans.
Parag was fined 25 percent of his match fees and given one demerit point, but escaped a match ban. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said it was something that could have been avoided.
“I think this is totally a situation that could have been avoided. I want players not to get trapped in such things. I don’t really want that for a young player, and this is a little sensitive, too. I think, on all quadrants, if we look at so many things, this could have been avoided.” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin said that there is a fine line between personal choice and public responsibility, pointing to how Parag is the captain of a team in the IPL and has a responsibility towards the youngsters in the league, who look up to players like him.
“Sometimes what happens is it’s a personal choice, but your personal choice should be in your personal space. If you do all this in public space, that can very well be avoided. All I would say is this: it’s my small advice as an elder brother. I want to tell Riyan Parag that, whatever happens in your personal life, nobody has any concern about it.”
“Nobody can say anything about that. But whatever you do, do it in your personal space, because you are a captain, you are a franchise leader. You are probably an inspiration for many cricketers, many youth, many young Indians, and young people around the world. So there is some responsibility too,” said Ashwin.
THESE THINGS SHOULD BE AVOIDED
Ashwin said that such things should be avoided despite having empathy towards Parag. The former spinner
“I have my deepest empathy and sympathy for the young kid, but at the same time, I totally believe all these things should and can be avoided,” he added.
“It can’t be easy, man. In today’s world, I also sometimes read things and think, man, I mean, sometimes this happens. I’m not saying these things should be let go under the carpet, because if action isn’t taken, nobody will learn from it. But it is better to avoid these things,” he concluded.
Parag has had a disappointing tournament with the bat, managing just 117 runs from nine matches at an average of 14.62 and a strike rate of 124.46, with a highest score of 29.
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