Ravichandran Ashwin, fondly known as Ash, is an Indian International cricketer. He came into prominence as a mystery spinner and later showed his batting skills too. Now, he is a regular in the Test team and plays as a genuine all-rounder. In this blog, we will explore the life of cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin (R Ashwin), his age, career, stats, IPL, achievements and much more.

Ravichandran Ashwin Biography

Early Days

R Ashwin was born on 17 September 1986 in a Tamil Brahmin family in West Mambalam, Chennai. He did his schooling from Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan and St. Bede’s. Later, he studied engineering at SSN College of Engineering. His father Ravichandran played cricket at the club level as a fast bowler.

Ashwin started his career as an opening batsman, but at St Bede’s coaches, C.K.Vijay and Chandra changed his bowling style from medium pace to off-spin. Later he was dropped to the middle order and from there a mystery spinner was born.

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R Ashwin Domestic Career

R Ashwin’s domestic career is quite little to talk about as compared to his international and IPL success. Ashwin played as an all-rounder for Tamil Nadu and South Zone. He made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu against Haryana in the 2006-07 Ranji season. In 27 first-class matches, Ashwin has picked up a huge total of 134 wickets. He played as an all-rounder for Tamil Nadu and the South Zone.

Ravichandran Ashwin IPL Career

Ashwin was picked up by the Chennai franchise in the Indian Premier League. He debuted in 2009 and the MS Dhoni led team went on to win the coveted trophy twice consecutively. He picked up 13 and 20 wickets respectively. Ashwin continued to be MS Dhoni’s leading man with the ball.

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Ashwin made big names like Chris Gayle his bunny. Chennai Super Kings was banned in the 2016 and 2017 seasons, so Ashwin shifted to a new team, the Rising Pune Supergiants. In the 2018 auction, he was picked up by the Kings XI Punjab and he was entrusted with the responsibility of the captain.

Before the commencement of the 2020 season, Ashwin was traded to the Delhi Capitals, where he showcased his prowess by claiming 13 wickets, ranking as the fourth highest wicket-taker in the team. Delhi Capitals decided to retain him for the 2021 season as well. However, in the 2022 IPL Auction, Ashwin was acquired by the Rajasthan Royals for ₹5 crores.

Notably, during a group stage match against Lucknow Super Giants in the 2022 season, he strategically retired out in the 19th over, marking a first in IPL history. Throughout the 2022 season, he contributed significantly, claiming 12 wickets and scoring 191 runs, leading Rajasthan Royals to the finals. In April 2022, Ashwin achieved a milestone by becoming only the second off-spinner, after Harbhajan Singh, to secure 150 wickets in the IPL, positioning himself as the fifth highest wicket-taker in the league with 171 wickets. IN IPL 2024, he is retained by RR.

Ashwin will play for the Chennai Super Kings in the next Indian Premier League season 2025 after being purchased by them in the Mega auction.

Ashwin in International Cricket

With the success in the IPL, he was fast-tracked to the international scene. He made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka on 5 June 2010, scoring a 32 ball 38 and taking 2/50 in that match. His T20I debut came a week later, against Zimbabwe at Harare where he took 1/22 in four overs.

In a series against New Zealand in November- December 2010, India won the ODI series 5-0 and Ashwin was the leading wicket taker with 11 scalps. Stand-in captain Gautam Gambhir called him ‘the find' of the series. Despite the recognition, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Pragyan Ojha, and Ravindra Jadeja were the first choices for the captain.

Ashwin was picked up for the ICC World Cup 2011 which was held in the subcontinent. He played only two matches in the World Cup and made his World Cup debut in March 2011 against the West Indies with bowling figures of 2/41 in 10 overs. In the quarterfinal against Australia at Ahmedabad and picked 2/52 and took up the crucial first wicket when the opening partnership was building on.

He was picked up for the Tests for the first time against West Indies in November 2011 at Delhi. Ashwin took 3/81 in the first innings and 6/47 in the second, helping India win the match. He was awarded the man of the match, becoming the third Indian player to win the award on Test debut. In the third test match in Mumbai, he scored his first international century – 103 off 118 balls. Ashwin went on to become the Man of the Series.

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When Australia toured India in 2013, Ashwin surpassed the great Anil Kumble’s tally of 27 wickets for most wickets by an Indian bowler in a four-Test series. He took a total of 29 wickets at 20.10 and won the Man of the Series award as Australia lost 4-0.

In 2015, he became no. 1 Test bowler in the ICC rankings. In December 2016, the International Cricket Council named Ashwin the ICC Cricketer of the Year and the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year for 2016.

Ashwin received an unexpected call-up to the ODI squad for the series against Australia ahead of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, where he showcased his skills by securing four wickets across two matches. This performance earned him a spot in the Indian squad for the World Cup. Throughout the tournament, in which India finished as runners-up, Ashwin played a crucial role, notably in his lone match against Australia where he boasted the best economy rate of 3.4.

On February 16, 2024, during the third test of England’s tour of India, Ashwin reached a significant milestone by claiming his 500th test wicket, joining the ranks as the second Indian and ninth overall to achieve this remarkable feat.

Ravichandran Ashwin Career Stats

Career Averages

Overs

Mdns

Runs

Wkts

BBI

BBM

Avg

Econ

SR

5w

10w

2010-2024

287

379

5833.3

947

19743

765

7/59

13/140

25.80

3.38

45.7

37

8

In Format

In Major Trophies

Ravichandran Ashwin Favorites

• Favourite Batsman: Sachin Tendulkar, Clive Lloyd, Vivian Richards
• Favourite Bowler: Shane Warne
• Favourite All-rounder: Kapil Dev
• Favourite Food: Chocolates
• Favourite Actor: Santhanam
• Favourite Film: 3 Idiots, Vertical Limit
• Favourite Musician: A R Rahman, Shoaib Bhushan

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Ravichandran Ashwin Retirement