Former India coach Rahul Dravid and veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently shared a laugh-out-loud story that perfectly blends cricket, culture, and comedy.
What began as a light-hearted jibe from Dravid turned into an unforgettable exchange when Australian pacer Mitchell Starc casually revealed he understood Ashwin’s Tamil tutorial on YouTube.
The anecdote, revisited during Ashwin’s popular show “Kutti Stories with Ash”, has since gone viral, showing a funnier, more human side of two modern Indian greats.
The Backdrop: Ashwin’s Tamil Tutorial
Back in 2023, Ashwin uploaded a Tamil-language YouTube video explaining techniques to counter spin bowling. At the time, India was in the middle of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the video quickly stirred controversy.
When India lost the third Test in Indore, many fans and critics joked that Ashwin had ended up “coaching” the Australians better than Team India itself. Some even accused him of “giving away secrets” to the opposition. The backlash forced Ashwin to tweak the thumbnail and issue clarifications.
Fast forward to now, the video has become the centerpiece of one of the funniest dressing-room stories in Indian cricket.
On Ashwin’s talk show, Rahul Dravid—affectionately known as The Wall—decided to tease his former player. With a wry smile, Dravid said someone had forwarded him Ashwin’s Tamil tutorial during that 2023 series.
“I thought to myself, this guy is coaching the Aussies better than me!” Dravid quipped, sending the studio audience into splits.
The joke perfectly captured Dravid’s dry humor. After all, he was India’s head coach at the time, and here was Ashwin, unwittingly being accused of outshining him in the coaching department.
Ashwin Strikes Back—with Logic and Laughs
Grinning, Ashwin shot back, “If I actually had the answers, I’d be teaching our own bowlers how to play spin—not the Aussies!” A jab with logic and humor rolled into one.
Dravid, ever the gentleman, clarified he was only joking. But of course, social media had a field day: memes exploded with captions like “Ashwin’s coaching better than Dravid’s—sorry, Wall!
The Twist: Mitchell Starc Knows Tamil?
Just when the story couldn’t get any funnier, Dravid shared the punchline. During that Indore Test, Mitchell Starc reportedly walked up to Ashwin during a break and joked about his Tamil video.
Starc’s cheeky remark suggested he had actually understood Ashwin’s content—either by watching with subtitles or picking up some Tamil phrases along the way.
Dravid couldn’t resist adding, “So Mitchell Starc knows Tamil now? Did they have a translator, or is he secretly fluent?” The revelation sent both players into fits of laughter.
This exchange between Dravid and Ashwin struck a chord with cricket lovers everywhere. Here’s why it worked so well:
- Relatable Humor – Everyone has faced situations where well-meant advice is misunderstood. This was that, but on a global sporting stage.
- Lighthearted Banter – Cricket often gets weighed down with pressure and criticism. Moments like these remind us it’s still a game meant to be enjoyed.
- Unexpected Twist – The idea of an Australian quick like Starc knowing Tamil was the perfect cherry on top. It made the story instantly meme-worthy.
- Human Side of Legends – Fans adore seeing serious figures like Dravid in playful mode. His joke showed the camaraderie and warmth inside the Indian camp.
Beyond the laughs, this story highlights how much cricket has evolved in the digital age. A single YouTube video in a regional language can become global news, fuel memes, and even cross cultural boundaries.
It also shows the changing dynamics in cricketing relationships. Gone are the days of stiff rivalries. Today, banter, respect, and shared jokes define the spirit of the game.
Rahul Dravid’s playful dig at Ashwin and Mitchell Starc’s Tamil twist has given fans one of the funniest cricketing anecdotes in recent memory.
From being accused of “helping the opposition” to becoming the butt of one of Dravid’s best jokes, Ashwin has handled the saga with charm and humor. And if Starc really does know Tamil—even a few phrases—it only proves that cricket is more than just a game; it’s a global language of laughter and connection.
