Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin, born on September 17, 1986, is an Indian international cricketer known for his outstanding off-spin bowling and impressive all-round capabilities. Making his promising debut for the Indian cricket team in the year 2010, Ashwin swiftly etched his name as a linchpin within the squad, propelled by his strategic variations and sagacious cricketing acumen, which propelled him to eminence across both the Test and limited-overs formats.

Distinguished by an array of records, Ashwin's illustrious career includes the remarkable feat of ascending to one of the fastest bowlers to amass an impressive tally of 300 Test wickets. His capacity to outwit batters with his cunning spin, coupled with substantial contributions wielding the bat, has positioned him as a valuable asset to the Indian team. Beyond the boundary lines, Ashwin is celebrated for his discerning and analytical approach to the game, earning him an esteemed reputation as one of the preeminent spin bowlers in the contemporary cricketing landscape. Undoubtedly, his enduring impact on the sport and unwavering consistency have firmly entrenched him as a cricketing stalwart, leaving an indelible mark on the rich tapestry of Indian cricket.

Early Life and Education

Ravichandran Ashwin, born on September 17, 1986, in Madras, Tamil Nadu, is the son of Ravichandran and Chitra. His father, Ravichandran, was an avid cricketer who played at the club level as a fast bowler. Ashwin received his early education at Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan and St. Bede's Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School. For his higher education, he pursued a BTech in Information Technology from SSN College of Engineering in Chennai. Notably, Ashwin's cricketing journey began as an opening batter, but he later transitioned to medium-pace bowling before ultimately finding his forte in off-spin. This multifaceted background reflects the diverse and evolving skill set that has contributed to his success in the world of cricket.

Early Career

At the age of 20, Ravichandran Ashwin debuted in first-class cricket for Tamil Nadu against Haryana in the 2006 Ranji Trophy, showcasing his prowess by claiming six wickets. Following this, his introduction to List A cricket occurred in 2007 against Andhra, where he made a notable start by taking two wickets. The subsequent month saw his entry into T20 cricket, contributing to a triumphant performance against Andhra in an interstate T20 tournament.

Domestic Career

  • Tamil Nadu
    Ashwin, a representative of Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket, has been a consistent presence in multiple seasons of the Ranji Trophy. Notably, he led the Tamil Nadu team to victory in the Vijay Hazare Trophy during the 2008-09 season and guided them to the semi-finals in 2015. Ashwin continued to contribute to the team's success, participating in the tournament in 2019. Additionally, he showcased his skills in the South zone team. In 2018, Ashwin assumed the captaincy for the India A side in the Deodhar Trophy. His involvement in the TNCA first division league included playing for Chemplast until 2018 when he transitioned to Mylapore RC. In 2020, Ashwin signed up to represent India Cements.
  • TNPL
    Ashwin served as the captain for the Dindigul Dragons franchise in the first season of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) T20 tournament. Throughout seven seasons, he remained a key player for the team, guiding them to two finals in 2018 and 2019.

Country Career

In August 2017, Ashwin marked his debut in English county cricket with Worcestershire, facing Gloucestershire and securing three wickets. He subsequently reprised his role with Worcestershire in the 2018 season. During the 2019 County Championship season, Nottinghamshire enlisted Ashwin for the latter part of the campaign. Making his debut against Essex at Trent Bridge, Ashwin played a pivotal role for the county, making noteworthy contributions by taking 34 wickets and amassing 339 runs across five matches.

Debut Career (2010-11)

Following his standout performance in the 2010 Indian Premier League, Ashwin earned a spot in the Indian squad for the tri-series in Zimbabwe in May 2010. Making his ODI debut against Sri Lanka on June 5, 2010, he showcased his all-round skills, scoring a brisk 32-ball 38 and taking 2/50 despite India losing the match. A week later, he made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe in Harare, contributing with a bowling figure of 1/22 in four overs in an Indian victory.

Ashwin continued to be part of the Indian squad, featuring in the 2010 Asia Cup triumph and the tri-series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka. However, he faced limited opportunities, with Pragyan Ojha and Ravindra Jadeja often preferred. In October 2010, Ashwin played in the home ODI series against Australia, claiming 1/34 in nine overs in a victorious match. His performance during the 5-0 whitewash against New Zealand in November-December 2010 earned him praise from then captain Gautam Gambhir, who hailed him as "the find" of the series.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Despite being in the squad, Ashwin did not make the playing eleven in any of the five ODIs during the South African tour in 2010, with Harbhajan Singh being the preferred choice. Ashwin continued to be a vital part of the team, securing a spot in the 15-member squad for the 2011 Cricket World Cup. While he played only two matches in the tournament, India emerged victorious, defeating Sri Lanka in the finals.

Ashwin's journey extended to India's tour of the West Indies in June-July 2011, where he played the fourth and fifth matches, picking up a solitary wicket. Retained in the limited-overs squad for the England tour, he stood out as India's best bowler, claiming six wickets at an average of 25.16. In the series against England in October 2011, Ashwin emerged as the second-highest wicket-taker, securing ten wickets in India's 5-0 victory.

Test Debut and Rise (2011-12)

In November 2011, during the West Indies tour of India, Ashwin and Ojha were the sole specialist spinners in the squad for three Tests and five ODIs. Ashwin made his Test debut in the first match in Delhi, receiving his cap from Sachin Tendulkar. He made an impactful start, securing four wickets in the second Test at Kolkata, contributing to India's innings victory. In the third Test at Mumbai, Ashwin showcased his all-round abilities by taking 5/156 and scoring his maiden international century in India's first innings. This achievement made him the third Indian to achieve a century and a five-wicket haul in the same Test, a feat not accomplished since 1962. The match ended in a draw with the scores level, earning Ashwin the Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards for his outstanding performance. Subsequently, he participated in four matches of the ODI series, taking four wickets at an average of 49.00.

Ashwin continued to be part of the squad for the Australia tour in 2011-12, playing in three Tests and claiming nine wickets at an average of over 62. He also featured in the triangular CB Series against Australia and Sri Lanka, capturing seven wickets in as many matches at 43.42. In March 2012, during the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, Ashwin took five wickets in three matches. His tour of Sri Lanka in July-August 2012 saw a modest performance, securing five wickets at 39.40 in the five-match ODI series and 1/22 in the one-off T20I.

Consolidation (2012-15)

Ashwin experienced a remarkable return to form during the two-match home Test series against New Zealand. In the first Test at Hyderabad, his outstanding performance of 6/31 and 6/54 played a crucial role in India's innings victory, earning him the Man of the Match title. With match figures of 12/85, he surpassed S. Venkataraghavan's record for the best figures by an Indian bowler against New Zealand in Tests. In the second Test at Bangalore, Ashwin's contribution of 5/69 in the second innings helped secure both the match and the series for India with a 2-0 win.

During the first Test of England's tour of India in late 2012, Ashwin became the fastest Indian to reach 50 wickets in Test cricket, achieving this milestone in his ninth game. Despite India losing the series 2-1, Ashwin managed to score 243 runs at an average of 60.75, finishing as India's second-best batsman. In the three-match ODI series against Pakistan and the five-match ODI series against England, he took three wickets at 43.33 and seven wickets at 35.71, respectively.

Ashwin continued his success in the four-Test series against Australia in February-March 2013. At Chennai, his home ground, he claimed 7/103 and 5/95, contributing to India's eight-wicket victory. In the second Test at Hyderabad, he took 5/63 in the second innings, helping India secure an innings win. Ashwin also played a pivotal role in the third Test at Mohali, where India sealed the series with a six-wicket victory. In the final Test at Delhi, he took 5/57 and 2/55, completing a 4-0 whitewash of Australia. Ashwin finished the series as the leading wicket-taker with 29 wickets at 20.10 and won the Man of the Series award.

Ashwin was part of the Indian team that won the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy in England. His figures of 2/15 in four overs in the final aided India in restricting England to 124/8, securing a five-run victory. He finished the tournament as the joint-fifth highest wicket-taker and was named in the 'Team of the Tournament.'

On India's tour of South Africa, Ashwin faced challenges, picking up only one wicket across three ODIs and going wicketless in the first Test at Johannesburg, leading to his omission from the second Test. During the New Zealand tour in early 2014, he struggled to make an impact in the five-match ODI series, managing only one wicket. However, in the third ODI, Ashwin showcased his batting prowess, scoring his maiden ODI fifty with 65 runs from 46 balls in a match that ended in a tie.

Ashwin regained his bowling form during India's tour of Bangladesh for the 2014 Asia Cup and the 2014 ICC World Twenty20. He took nine wickets in four matches during the Asia Cup. He played a crucial role in India's unbeaten run to the World Twenty20 final, finishing as the joint-third-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 11 wickets.

Rise to Stardom (2015-19)

Ashwin continued to be a vital asset for the Indian cricket team, earning selection for the second consecutive ODI World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand in 2015. During India's run to the semi-finals, he impressed with 13 wickets in 8 matches, earning a spot on the bench in the 'Team of the Tournament.' In the subsequent three-match series against Sri Lanka in 2015, Ashwin set a new record for the most wickets by an Indian bowler in a series against Sri Lanka, finishing with 21 wickets and earning the Man of the Series award.

Ravichandran Ashwin

In November 2015, Ashwin showcased exceptional performance during the Freedom Trophy Test series against South Africa in India. He became the fastest Indian to reach 150 wickets in Test cricket and played a pivotal role in India's 2-0 series win. Notably, in the third Test in Nagpur, Ashwin's career-best figures of 7/66 in the second innings contributed to South Africa's first away series loss in nine years. His remarkable achievements led to his inclusion in the ICC Men's Test Team of the Year in 2015.

Ashwin's stellar contributions continued as he played a crucial role in India's triumph in the 2016 Asia Cup, taking four wickets in as many matches. The 2016 tour to the West Indies showcased his all-round brilliance, with Ashwin scoring 235 runs, including two centuries, and claiming 17 wickets in four Tests, leading India to a 2-0 series victory. In the subsequent series against New Zealand and England in 2016, Ashwin took a total of 55 wickets and scored 506 runs, becoming only the second Indian to achieve the feat of scoring 500 runs and taking 50 wickets in a single season. Recognizing his outstanding performances in 2016, he was named in the ICC Men's Test Team of the Year and earned the prestigious "ICC Cricketer of the Year" and "ICC Test Cricketer of the Year" awards in December 2016.

In February 2017, Ashwin continued his excellence, taking 21 wickets in the four-match series against Australia, contributing significantly to India's 2-1 series victory. Subsequently, he focused primarily on Test cricket, being part of India's successful tours of Sri Lanka in August 2017 and the return tour in December 2017, emerging as the leading wicket-taker in both series. In 2018, despite India facing challenges in away series against South Africa and England, Ashwin continued to make valuable contributions, taking 18 wickets in six Tests.

Ashwin's proficiency persisted in the 2-0 Test series victory over West Indies in India in October 2018, where he took nine wickets. His consistent performances highlighted his enduring impact as a premier spinner for the Indian Test team.

Consistency (2019-23)

During the 2019-20 home season, India enjoyed success against South Africa and Bangladesh, winning all three series. Ashwin played a pivotal role, securing 20 wickets across five matches. In the Indian tour of New Zealand, he participated in one match, but India faced defeat. However, in the subsequent series during the tour of Australia, India achieved a historic 2-1 victory, with Ashwin contributing significantly by taking 12 wickets in three matches.

In the England tour of India in 2021, India emerged victorious with a 3-1 series win, and Ashwin showcased an outstanding all-round performance, taking 32 wickets and scoring 189 runs, including a century, in four Tests.

The 2021-22 season saw India triumph in the home series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, where Ashwin emerged as the leading wicket-taker in both series. His consistent performances in Test cricket led to his inclusion in the ICC Test Team of the Year for 2021. In January 2022, during India's tour of South Africa, Ashwin took three wickets in as many matches, and India faced a 1-2 defeat. However, he once again proved to be the leading wicket-taker in the West Indies with 15 wickets, contributing to a 2-0 victory.

In the Australian tour to India in March 2023, Ashwin showcased his bowling prowess by taking 25 wickets in four matches, leading India to a series victory.

In a surprising move, Ashwin earned a recall to the ODI side for the series against Australia ahead of the 2023 Cricket World Cup. He took four wickets from two matches and was subsequently named in the Indian squad for the World Cup. During the tournament, where India finished as runners-up, Ashwin played a lone match against Australia and boasted the best economy rate of 3.4.

IPL Career

Ravichandran Ashwin began his Indian Premier League (IPL) journey with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the inaugural season in 2008. Making his debut for CSK in the 2009 season, Ashwin went on to represent the team for eight consecutive seasons until 2015. His breakthrough moment came in 2010, where his impressive performance, securing 13 wickets, played a crucial role in Chennai winning their first IPL title and qualifying for the Champions League Twenty20. Notably, Ashwin's contribution continued, and in the 2011 IPL season, he emerged as the fourth-highest wicket-taker with 20 wickets, aiding Chennai in clinching a second consecutive title. Over eight seasons, Ashwin accumulated 90 wickets from 97 matches for the Super Kings.

Ravichandran Ashwin

After the two-year suspension of CSK and Rajasthan Royals, Ashwin moved to the Rising Pune Supergiants for the 2016 IPL season. He was one of their five draft picks, chosen on December 15, 2015, for ₹75 million (US$940,000). During the 2016 season, he took ten wickets before being ruled out of the 2017 season due to an injury. In the 2018 player auction, Punjab Kings acquired Ashwin for ₹7.5 crores, and he was appointed as the captain for the 2018 season. In a notable incident in March 2019, during a match against Rajasthan Royals, Ashwin stirred a debate around the mode of dismissal by running out a batsman "backing up" (Jos Buttler).

Ahead of the 2020 season, Ashwin was traded to Delhi Capitals. He took 13 wickets in the season, ranking as the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the team. Delhi Capitals retained him for the 2021 season. In the 2022 IPL Auction, Ashwin was bought by the Rajasthan Royals for ₹5 crores. During a group stage match against Lucknow Super Giants in the 2022 season, he strategically retired in the 19th over, marking the first instance of a cricketer doing so in the IPL. Ashwin contributed significantly, taking 12 wickets and scoring 191 runs, leading Rajasthan to the finals of the 2022 season. In April 2022, he achieved the milestone of becoming only the second off-spinner, after Harbhajan Singh, to claim 150 wickets in the IPL, solidifying his position as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the league with 171 wickets.

Personal Life

Ravichandran Ashwin resides in West Mambalam, Chennai. On November 13, 2011, he married his childhood friend Prithi Narayanan. The couple is blessed with two children.

Conclusion

Ravichandran Ashwin stands as a pillar in Indian cricket, showcasing extraordinary off-spin skills and all-around excellence. Born on September 17, 1986, in Chennai, his cricketing journey soared after debuting in 2010. Famed for crafty variations and strategic brilliance, Ashwin's record-breaking feats have etched him into cricketing history. Beyond the field, he excels in leadership and makes notable contributions in domestic and T20 leagues. Married to Prithi Narayanan, Ashwin's legacy resonates with records, accolades, and unwavering dedication to the sport, leaving an indelible mark on the cricketing landscape.


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