Know Your Player – Ravichandran Ashwin
Cricketing milestones, rise through the ranks, trials and tribulations and their glamorous lifestyles – we cover it all in ‘Know Your Player’, a brand-new section aimed at keeping you updated with everything you need to know! In this edition, we take a look at India’s spin legend in progress, Ravichandran Ashwin. Keep watching this space for a new superstar every time!
The Rise
Starting off as an opening batsman at junior-level cricket, Ashwin dropped down the order and decided to make his name as an off-break bowler. His first-class debut for Tamil Nadu came in December 2006. However, it was his performance in the 2010 Indian Premier League for the Chennai Super Kings, that gave him a break into the national side. Ashwin earned his maiden international call-up in the limited-overs formats in June 2010 against Zimbabwe. He was also part of the Indian squad that won the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Later that year, he made his Test debut against West Indies and became the seventh Indian to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut. He later won the player of the series award and never looked back.
IPL Exploits
Representing Chennai Super Kings, who relied heavily on their spinners, Ashwin picked up 13 wickets in 12 matches in only his second season. In the following season, he snapped 20 scalps which remains his best season performance till date. In 2016, he played for Rising Pune Supergiants. Two years later, Ashwin was named as the captain of Kings XI Punjab. Delhi Capitals picked him up in a trade in 2020 and it is his current team.
Career Highlights
Off The Field
An engineer by education, Ashwin’s cricket knowledge is worthy of a degree. The off-spinner constantly thinks about his game and has brought in a lot of changes to keep himself relevant in all forms of cricket. In the lockdown, Ashwin began his own chat show on YouTube which received a tremendously positive response from all corners.
