Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to retire from international cricket on the tour of Australia sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Known for his exceptional mind and cricketing skills, Ashwin has always been vocal about his opinions on the Indian team, often sharing his thoughts on his YouTube channel. Recently, he expressed a rather interesting view – that centuries scored by veteran players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should be taken as a normal century, given their already impressive careers.
Superstar culture will have to get crossed: Ashwin
Ashwin emphasized the need to overcome the superstar culture and super celebrity culture that pervades the Indian cricket team. He believes that things need to be kept normal, and that cricketers should be perceived as regular players, rather than actors or superstars. As he put it, “We are cricketers, not actors or superstars. We are players, and we need to be relatable to the common man.” This sentiment is quite thought-provoking – can the Indian team strike a balance between recognizing their players’ achievements and avoiding the trappings of celebrity culture?
This thing said at Champions Trophy Squad
Ashwin’s comments were also directed at the Champions Trophy Squad, where he noted that if you’re a player like Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, who have already achieved so much in their careers, then a century or a good score shouldn’t be seen as a monumental achievement. Instead, these players should be striving for bigger goals. He also recalled the time when five spinners were selected in the Indian team for the Champions Trophy in Dubai, wondering if that was really necessary. “I think one or two spinners would have been enough,” he mused.
More than 500 wickets for India in Test cricket
Ashwin’s own cricketing career is a testament to his skills and dedication. Having played in all three formats for the Indian team, he has taken an impressive 537 wickets in 106 Tests, 156 wickets in ODI cricket, and 72 wickets in 65 T20 International matches. As the second-highest wicket-taking bowler for India in international cricket, Ashwin’s legacy is undoubtedly cemented in the world of cricket. His retirement may have come as a surprise, but his contributions to the sport will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.
