'Not a fixer like you': R Ashwin's cheap jibe at Herschelle Gibbs' harmless banter has Twitterati fuming

Former South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs and ace Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin were involved in a rather uncomfortable Twitter conversation on Monday.

It all started with Ashwin promoting a new pair of running shoes on his Twitter account. He waxed eloquent on the features of his new possession, telling his followers how he couldn't wait to step in to them.

Here's his tweet.

Hey Guys! Just got my hands on the new NIKE React. It’s got a stunning design and the foam technology used makes it light and comfortable to use. Undoubtedly, the best running shoes I’ve stepped into, can’t wait to flaunt them.
#NikeReact #InstantGo #teamNike pic.twitter.com/SmspLkw2dA

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) February 19, 2018

One of the first ones to react to Ashwin's tweet was none other than Gibbs. The explosive former Proteas opener poked fun at the Indian off-spinner, who isn't really known for his athleticism on the field, by saying he hopes the new pair of shoes will enable him to run faster. "Hopefully you will be able to run a bit faster now ashwin," wrote Gibbs.

Here's his post

Hopefully you will be able to run a bit faster now ashwin 

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) February 19, 2018

All okay till now, one would think. But this is when things got a little heated between the two. From the looks of it, Gibbs' tweet seemed harmless, just some light-hearted banter with a fellow international cricketer. However, Ashwin clearly didn't see much humour in it and took a rather cheap shot at the 43-year-old. Gibbs was famously involved in a match-fixing scandal years ago, and Ashwin, clearly embarrassed by the jibe, pinched the South African where it would hurt most.

"Surely not as fast you did mate, unfortunately I wasn’t as blessed as you were. But I was blessed with a wonderfully ethical mind not to fix games which put food on my plate," wrote Ashwin.

Here's his tweet

Surely not as fast you did mate, unfortunately I wasn’t as blessed as you were. But I was blessed with a wonderfully ethical mind not to fix games which put food on my plate. https://t.co/G0lLXbiYo9

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) February 19, 2018

Ouch!

Gibbs, thankfully, decided not to stoop as low and left the conversation in a dignified manner. "Can’t take a joke i see anyway moving swiftly on," he wrote.

Here's his post

Can’t take a joke i see anyway moving swiftly on..

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) February 19, 2018

Ashwin, clearly uncomfortable after his uncalled for remark, tried to salvage the situation by offering a lame explanation. "I totally believed my reply was a joke too, but look how people and yourself perceived it. I am totally game for this sort of fun mate, we shall dine over this sometime," he tweeted.

Here's his tweet

I totally believed my reply was a joke too, but look how people and yourself perceived it. I am totally game for this sort of fun mate, we shall dine over this sometime. https://t.co/Z7YdXQnxeD

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) February 19, 2018

Ashwin then, in a matter of minutes, deleted his tweet where he spoke about Gibbs' fixing saga. We, however, made sure to save a screenshot of it for you.

Here it is

Twitterati, too, was fuming at Ashwin's remark. Fans suggested the off-spinner was frustrated having lost his place in India's limited-overs sides.

Here are some tweets

Lol. What idiotic cover up! Pull up bro! Frustration of not being in team is getting better of you. A simple apology would have been nice but you are still neck deep in arrogance. Not your fan anymore.

— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) February 19, 2018

When u are on Non striker end without playing any single ball and suddenly U get run out.
O balls 0 Runs https://t.co/C0HESCOF3w

— Lol Salam (@TrollLalsalam) February 19, 2018

Seems Kuldeep and Chahal are giving you more sleepless nights than anyone else 

— Abhishek  #408 (@ImAbhishek7_) February 19, 2018

Are you sure, using the word "fixing" to counter a person is a joke?? We beleived it ASH

— ANBARASAN (@anboviya) February 19, 2018

CSK was also banned for fixing MR Ashwin and u were part of that team. We shall diner over this too sometime v soon 

— LostBoyJourney (@trollingsince09) February 19, 2018

Don’t try to dig it even deeper now. Your last reply was below the belt and inappropriate mate. Didn’t expect that from u and now just because u say it was a joke, it doesn’t work that way. After shooting someone u say that was a joke? Learn to embrace a mistake too.

— Ank (@ankisreal) February 19, 2018

Gibbs be like pic.twitter.com/rN0tmxJP2z

— Bade Chote (@badechote) February 19, 2018

Joke!! Fixing is s joke. No doubt next time you are involved in one. That would be the biggest joke.

— Mr. Rajput (@Surirajputt) February 19, 2018

Well, all we'll say is that Ashwin should practice what he preaches and show some sportsman spirit. Gibbs' reply to his first tweet in no way deserved such a vile response. Hope an apology from Ashwin follows and better sense prevails next time.