Sehwag Roasts Ashwin on Hindi Commentary Debut During RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 Match
Virender Sehwag gave Ravichandran Ashwin a welcome he will not forget in a hurry as the former spinner made his Hindi commentary debut during the IPL 2026 opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday.
IPL 2026 is officially underway with the full match schedule and fixtures live and updated throughout the season.
Ashwin’s Commentary Debut Becomes the Real Entertainment
Ravichandran Ashwin joined the commentary box for the RCB vs Sunrisers Hyderabad season opener at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. He came in with a bold prediction: Sunrisers Hyderabad would dominate on the night.
What he did not expect was Sehwag being in the same box, ready to turn the occasion into a full comedy show at Ashwin’s expense.
Sehwag Calls Ashwin the “Nayi Murgi” of Commentary
When host Aakash Chopra asked who was under more pressure on the evening, Sehwag did not hesitate for a second. He pointed straight at Ashwin and called him the newcomer, the “nayi murgi” of the commentary setup.
Ashwin tried to redirect attention to his SRH prediction, saying they would do wonders. Sehwag fired back immediately, telling him he makes those kinds of predictions sitting in dressing rooms all the time anyway.
The exchange had already set the tone, but the best was still to come.
The Dressing Room Story That Had Everyone in Splits
Sehwag pulled out a classic from his memory involving a time when Ashwin was batting as captain. Ashwin had approached Sehwag in the dressing room, asking what to do against an off-spinner. Sehwag told him to go out and hit from ball one.
A few overs passed. No wicket fell. The two sat chatting. Eventually a wicket came, Ashwin walked in, tried to create room against the first delivery, got out, came back and sat down saying it was not as easy as it sounded.
Sehwag, deadpan, replied that he had already said that.
The story landed perfectly, and Aakash Chopra tried to defend off-spinners by saying they are decent bowlers too. Sehwag cut him off immediately, pointing out that Ashwin himself got out to one. When Ashwin revealed the bowler was K. Gowtham, the box erupted.
| Moment | What Happened |
|---|---|
| Chopra asks about pressure | Sehwag points straight at Ashwin |
| Ashwin predicts SRH win | Sehwag says he does this from dressing rooms anyway |
| Dressing room batting story | Ashwin got out to an off-spinner after being told to hit freely |
| Ashwin reveals bowler’s name | K. Gowtham, making it even funnier |
Why This Moment Matters Beyond the Laughs
Ashwin retired from international cricket earlier this year after a distinguished Test career. Moving into the commentary box is a natural next step, but making a Hindi debut on the biggest platform, the IPL opening match, with Sehwag sitting right next to him, was always going to be a trial by fire.
The fact that Ashwin held his own while being roasted actually made for great television. His prediction for Sunrisers Hyderabad winning at Chinnaswamy also gave the moment extra stakes, with the match result adding another layer to the whole exchange.
For everything on how Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad lined up on the night, check the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad page and the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad and fixtures.
RCB vs SRH: The Match That Kicked Off IPL 2026
The RCB vs Sunrisers Hyderabad match was the official IPL 2026 opener, played at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Ishan Kishan led Sunrisers Hyderabad into the game. Ashwin had backed them to do well on the night.
The commentary box banter between Sehwag and Ashwin became one of the most talked-about moments of the evening, arguably rivalling the on-field action in terms of entertainment value.
For the full head-to-head history between these two sides, the RCB vs SRH rivalry timeline and records has every match result and stat going back through the years.
You can also catch the full live coverage details through the RCB vs SRH live streaming page.
What Fans Are Saying
The clip of Sehwag roasting Ashwin spread quickly on social media, with fans praising the natural chemistry between the two former India players. Many pointed out that this kind of unscripted commentary banter is exactly what makes IPL broadcasts special.
Ashwin himself stayed composed throughout, which only added to the comedy. Getting roasted by Sehwag on your debut and not losing your cool is actually quite impressive.
| Commentary Box Participant | Role |
|---|---|
| Virender Sehwag | Host/Commentator |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | Debut Hindi Commentator |
| Aakash Chopra | Host |
FAQs
What happened between Sehwag and Ashwin during RCB vs SRH?
Sehwag roasted Ashwin on his Hindi commentary debut, calling him the newcomer and pulling out a dressing room story where Ashwin got out to an off-spinner after being told to hit freely.
When did Ashwin make his Hindi commentary debut?
Ashwin debuted in the Hindi commentary box during the IPL 2026 opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
What was Ashwin’s prediction for RCB vs SRH?
Ashwin predicted Sunrisers Hyderabad would win and do wonders at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Who was the bowler Ashwin got out to in the story Sehwag told?
K. Gowtham was the bowler who dismissed Ashwin in the dressing room story Sehwag narrated during commentary.
Is Ravichandran Ashwin retired from cricket?
Yes, Ashwin retired from international cricket and has now moved into the commentary space, starting with IPL 2026.
Was this Ashwin’s first time doing IPL commentary?
This was his Hindi commentary debut, making it a high-pressure occasion, especially with Sehwag in the same box ready to have fun at his expense.
