Considered one of the best cricketers in the Test format, Ravichandran Ashwin burst onto the international scene thanks to his exploits in IPL cricket. India has produced a lot of batters who were hailed to perform in limited over but then went on to become Test greats and no better example than Virendra Sehwag but a bowler repeating the same feet was not expected by many. In fact, Ashwin made his ODI and T20I debut a year before his test debut. Many considered him as just a bowler but his sturdy innings in Test matches proved his all-round abilities in the world of Cricket.
Early life
Ravichandran Ashwin hails from the city of Chennai and was born in a Brahmin family. Ashwin had cricketing roots to back his game as his father Ravichandran played club cricket as a fast-bowler. He started playing cricket at a very young age and even represented his school at the club level. He started his cricketing journey as an opening batsman at the junior level but due to lack of performance he was dropped down to order and he turned into an off-spinner. Despite his inclination toward cricket he never let his studies get affected. Ashwin graduated with a BTech in Information Technology from the SSN College of Engineering. With the kind of variation, Ashwin produces one might think that he uses those engineering skills in his bowling strategies. His childhood coach has often hailed him for his use of angles, length and width of the crease and regarded that the key area where the right arm spinner impressed him was his intelligence.
Domestic Cricket
Ashwin made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu in 2006 and in the following year, He was made the captain. People who have followed Indian cricket in the mid-2000s clearly remember the dominance of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. At the time Ashwin was playing domestic cricket Harbhajan was performing at the national level and many cricketers found it hard to even find a spot in that Indian setup. India has produced exceptional spinners over the years and that period was no different considering the crop of spinners that came from the Indian domestic setup. A relatively young Ashwin was still in the domestic circuit and that was the only way to the Indian team before the IPL era. His domestic performance did not earn him a position on the Indian team but his talent was found in 2010.
IPL career
Ravichandran Ashwin was part of the Chennai Super King side from their debut season. It wasn’t until the 2010 season that he came into the limelight. With MS Dhoni at the helm, the spinner was used in the power-plays, middle overs and even toward the death. To his advantage, the 2010 season also had a Champions League Twenty20 tournament which meant another chance for him to prove himself. Ashwin capitalized on that opportunity by becoming the leading wicket-taker and player of the tournament. Thanks to that season Ashwin made his T20I and ODI debut for India. Ashwin has performed well in the IPL since then.
The Indian spinner has been part of 5 IPL franchises in his career. He started his career at Chennai and then played for Rising Pune Super Giants during the time CSK was banned from the IPL. He then had brief stints with Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals and is presently based with the Rajasthan Royals setup. Although Ashwin’s IPL career will always be remembered for his time at Chennai the off-spinner has fared well at other franchises too.
Test Dominance
Ravichandran Ashwin rose to prominence as soon as he was introduced to the international set-up. Considered one of the greats, Ashwin is the fastest to 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350 and 400-wicket marks in Test cricket in terms of the number of innings. He won the cricketer of the year award in 2016. Ashwin has continued that dominance to date and is ranked highest in the test rankings. Although Ashwin has produced some match-winning innings with the ball he came to India’s rescue on many occasions with the bat. With 5 centuries to his name Ashwin has produced some mind-blowing innings over the years. Many criticize him for being the home-condition bowler but the stats work in Ashwin’s favour. His form overseas might have declined a bit but the talented off-spinner has a nag of coming back every time. India in the recent past has gone with Jadeja over Ashwin in SENA countries but the Chennai-born cricketer is still the leading choice bowler in sub-continent conditions.
International career
Ashwin has been part of the Indian team regularly. Having represented India in the 2011 World Cup, 2012 T20 World Cup, 2013 Champions Trophy, 2014 T20 World Cup, 2015 World Cup, 2016 T20 World Cup, 2017 Champions Trophy, and 2021 T20 World Cup Ashwin has again been picked for the 2022 World Cup. Many have questioned the Off-spinners position but he has time and again proved his critics wrong. What can India expect from him at the Australian pitches? Will his experience come in handy or will he find it hard to even be in the playing XI? Ashwin’s recent performances may not work in his favout but his abilities with the ball will surely be a plus going into the T20 World Cup
