R Ashwin’s ‘low IQ’ dig at Mohammad Yousuf over Suryakumar abuse on Pakistani TV: 'It gets dirty when...'

Former India off-spinner R Ashwin has weighed in on the ongoing war of words between India and Pakistan cricketers ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash. The row escalated after former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf referred to India captain Suryakumar Yadav as "Suarkumar Yadav" during a TV debate — a slur that triggered outrage in Indian cricket circles.

Yousuf later tried to shift attention by blaming former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who had previously compared Shahid Afridi to “a barking dog”. But the remarks had already drawn criticism for lowering the tone of the debate.

“I am a cricketer. Whatever love and respect I receive today is because of the things I’ve done on the cricket field,” he said. “Yes, sometimes we may speak beyond the boundary line, and someone might even find value in it. But there are things best left to the experts. When we step into areas we don't understand, it gets dirty.”