Ravichandran Ashwin has voiced strong opinions against the growing ‘superstar culture’ in Indian cricket, calling for players to remain grounded and relatable to the public.
Speaking on his Hindi YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, the veteran off-spinner stressed that cricketers should not be treated as celebrities but rather as sportspersons who represent the people.
Ashwin stated that it is crucial to normalise the status of Indian cricketers and not elevate them to the level of movie stars. He emphasised that this culture needs to change for the betterment of the sport and its connection with the fans.
He further elaborated that players should be recognised for their contributions to the team rather than individual milestones. Using Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as examples, he explained that while their achievements are significant, the focus should always be on collective success.
He believes that personal records should not overshadow the ultimate goal of winning tournaments for the country.
Apart from his views on cricket’s celebrity culture, Ashwin also raised concerns regarding India’s squad selection for the upcoming Champions Trophy. He questioned the team management’s decision to include five specialist spinners in the squad for the tournament in Dubai.
The squad comprises Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Varun Chakravarthy, which Ashwin feels might be an unnecessary surplus.
He pointed out that while all-rounders like Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja are crucial assets alongside Hardik Pandya, the inclusion of an additional spinner might force the team to sacrifice a fast bowler.
He suggested that if Varun Chakravarthy plays, then a pacer would have to be benched, making Hardik the second pace option. Otherwise, the team might have to drop a spinner to maintain a balanced attack.
India’s Champions Trophy campaign is set to begin on February 20 with a match against Bangladesh in Dubai.
The much-anticipated clash against Pakistan is scheduled for February 23 at the same venue, making it one of the most awaited fixtures of the tournament. Rohit Sharma will lead the squad as they aim to claim the prestigious title.
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