Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the most successful Indian cricketers of the modern era, known for his intelligent and skillful off-spin bowling. Born on September 17, 1986, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Ashwin made his debut for the Indian cricket team in 2010 and has since established himself as one of the best spin bowlers in the world.
Early Life and Career
Ashwin grew up in Chennai and started playing cricket at a young age. He was a talented all-rounder and played for his school and college teams before making his debut for Tamil Nadu in 2006. Ashwin started his career as a fast bowler but later switched to off-spin after being advised by his coach.
Ashwin’s breakthrough season in domestic cricket came in 2010-11, where he took 31 wickets in six matches at an average of 18.74 in the Ranji Trophy. His performances earned him a call-up to the Indian team for the ODI series against Sri Lanka in November 2010.
International Career
Ashwin made his international debut for India in an ODI against Sri Lanka in November 2010. He impressed with his accurate and intelligent off-spin bowling, taking 3 wickets in the match. He soon established himself as a regular member of the Indian team, playing in all three formats of the game.
Ashwin’s most memorable performance in international cricket came in the 2011 World Cup, where he played a key role in India’s title-winning campaign. He finished the tournament as the joint-highest wicket-taker, taking 13 wickets in nine matches at an average of 23.08.
Ashwin’s success in limited-overs cricket earned him a place in the Indian Test team, where he quickly established himself as a reliable wicket-taking bowler. His breakthrough series came in 2012-13 against Australia, where he took 29 wickets in four matches and played a crucial role in India’s 4-0 series win.
Ashwin’s performances in Test cricket earned him widespread praise, with many commentators and former players hailing him as one of the best spin bowlers in the world. He was particularly successful in home conditions, where his variations and accuracy made him almost unplayable on turning tracks.
Ashwin’s success in Test cricket continued in the following years, with notable performances against South Africa, West Indies, and England. He also became the fastest Indian bowler to reach 50, 100, and 200 wickets in Test cricket, achieving the feat in just 9, 17, and 36 matches respectively.
Playing Style
Ashwin is known for his intelligent and skillful off-spin bowling, which is characterized by his ability to generate significant turn and variation on any surface. He has a unique action that allows him to generate a significant amount of spin, and he often uses his variations in pace and flight to deceive batsmen.
Ashwin is also a handy lower-order batsman and has played some memorable innings for India over the years. He has a high score of 124 in Test cricket and has also scored four centuries in first-class cricket.
In addition to his on-field skills, Ashwin is also known for his strategic and analytical mind. He has often been credited with coming up with innovative bowling plans and strategies, and he is highly respected for his knowledge of the game.
Controversies
Despite his success on the field, Ashwin has been involved in a few controversies over the years. One of the most notable incidents came during the 2019 IPL, where he ‘Mankaded’ Jos Buttler of the Rajasthan Royals. The controversial dismissal, where Ashwin ran out Buttler at the non-striker’s end for