Ravichandran Ashwin: a journey through controversies and record-breaking highs
Image: Reuters
Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India's most celebrated cricketers, has officially announced his retirement, leaving behind a remarkable career studded with achievements and controversies. As India's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, Ashwin amassed 537 wickets in 106 matches at an average of 23.95. His prowess as an all-rounder is evident in his elite status of scoring over 3,000 runs and taking more than 500 wickets in Tests. He also shares the record for the most Man of the Series awards in Tests (11) with Muttiah Muralitharan. However, his journey has not been without incidents that sparked debates within the cricketing community.
Ashwin first attracted controversy during a 2012 One Day International against Sri Lanka when he attempted to 'Mankad' Lahiru Thirimanne for backing up too far. The appeal was later withdrawn, but the incident ignited discussions on sportsmanship. In 2019, as captain of Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL), he ran out Jos Buttler at the non-striker's end, another 'Mankading' act that divided opinions on the spirit of the game.
Pioneer in making Mankading normal , bursting the egos of batsman hiding behind spirit of cricket. Happy 37th birthday Ravichandran Ashwin. pic.twitter.com/LktwAqEDKY
— Slog Sweep-189 (@SloggSweep) September 17, 2023
In the IPL 2022 season, Ashwin became the first player to 'retire out,' voluntarily leaving the field to allow a more aggressive batsman to replace him. This unprecedented move sparked debates about its strategic implications for the game.
Similarly, his involvement in contentious Decision Review System (DRS) calls, such as against Dean Elgar in 2022 and Mitchell Marsh in 2024, raised questions about the consistency of technology in cricket.
Ashwin's on-field temperament also came under scrutiny, notably during a Tamil Nadu Premier League match in 2016, where his visible frustration drew attention. His comments during the 2024 Super Over against Afghanistan, where he defended the rules over the spirit of cricket, further highlighted his pragmatic approach to the game.
Despite these controversies, Ashwin remains a cricketing icon whose contributions to Indian cricket will be remembered for generations. His career reflects a blend of brilliance and audacity, setting him apart as one of the game’s most compelling figures.