Table of Contents
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 Virat Kohli’s Test team and plays as a genuine all-rounder. His contribution is immense to take the Indian Test team to number 1 in the ICC rankings. In this blog, we will explore the life of cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin (R Ashwin), his age, career, stats, achievements and much more.
Ravichandran Ashwin Biography
| Name | Ravichandran Ashwin |
| Born | September 17, 1986 (Chennai, Tamil Nadu) |
| Age | 36 years |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Right arm Offbreak |
| IPL Team | Rajasthan Royals |
| IPL team Price | INR 5 crore |
| Role | Bowling Allrounder |
| Test | November 06 – 09, 2011 vs West Indies |
| ODI | June 05, 2010 vs Sri Lanka |
| T20I | June 12, 2010 vs Zimbabwe |
| Teams Played for | India, Tamil Nadu, CSK, Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab, Rest of India, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiants, Nottinghamshire, Dindigul Dragons |
| Achievements |
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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.
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
Just my thoughts for what’s going to be yet another great summer of cricket. https://t.co/8KhK7V6APW #SaddaPunjab
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) March 12, 2019
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.
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.
View this post on InstagramA memorable day at work. Thanks to everyone whose been a massive support! #no300 #indvssl
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.
Also Read | Top 5 batters to complete 25000 runs in international cricket
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.
Ravichandran Ashwin Stats
Ravichandran Ashwin Bowling Stats
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 92 | 174 | 24573 | 11344 | 474 | 7/59 | 13/140 | 23.93 | 2.76 | 51.8 | 24 | 32 | 7 |
| ODI | 113 | 111 | 6141 | 5058 | 151 | 4/25 | 4/25 | 33.49 | 4.94 | 40.6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T20I | 65 | 65 | 1452 | 1672 | 72 | 4/8 | 4/8 | 23.22 | 6.90 | 20.1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 148 | 266 | 39109 | 17899 | 716 | 7/59 | 13/140 | 24.99 | 2.74 | 54.6 | 32 | 51 | 11 |
| List A | 173 | 171 | 9352 | 7242 | 231 | 4/25 | 4/25 | 31.35 | 4.64 | 40.4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T20 | 298 | 295 | 6438 | 7477 | 289 | 4/8 | 4/8 | 25.87 | 6.96 | 22.2 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Ravichandran Ashwin Batting & Fielding Stats
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 92 | 131 | 15 | 3129 | 124 | 26.97 | 5754 | 54.37 | 5 | 13 | 357 | 20 | 31 | 0 |
| ODI | 113 | 63 | 20 | 707 | 65 | 16.44 | 813 | 86.96 | 0 | 1 | 60 | 7 | 30 | 0 |
| T20I | 65 | 19 | 12 | 184 | 31* | 26.28 | 160 | 114.99 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 4 | 11 | 0 |
| FC | 148 | 208 | 32 | 5041 | 124 | 28.64 | 9220 | 54.67 | 7 | 24 | 619 | 26 | 56 | 0 |
| List A | 173 | 103 | 27 | 1346 | 79 | 17.71 | 1740 | 77.35 | 0 | 4 | 104 | 13 | 49 | 0 |
| T20 | 298 | 118 | 48 | 1048 | 50 | 14.97 | 882 | 118.82 | 0 | 1 | 90 | 31 | 69 | 0 |
Ravichandran Ashwin Favourites
- 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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Awards and Achievements
On 23 August 2016, Ashwin grabbed his sixth Man-of-the-Series Award, surpassing the tie by Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, and in only his 13th Test series, and 8th series where he played every Test.
View this post on InstagramHistoric moment at the SCG. The picture and the setting says it all. #indvsaus #bordergavaskartrophy
He along with Ravindra Jadeja became the first pair of spinners to be jointly ranked number 1 bowler in ICC Test Rankings history in 2017.
Ashwin won the Arjuna Award in 2014. He was awarded the BCCI’s Dilip Sardesai Award for India’s best cricketer in 2010–11 and 2015–16. Ashwin won the BCCI’s Polly Umrigar Award for International cricketer of the year in 2012–13.
He was honoured with ICC Test Player of the Year and ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2016. Ashwin also made it to the ICC Test team in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Ravichandran Ashwin Instagram
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Ravichandran Ashwin Twitter
I know today is about women empowerment etc..For me it’s about my household which was, is and will always be powered by women. Happy women’s day to my mom, wife @prithinarayanan, my little ones and the entire lot of you out there who have formed the basis of all our existence. ? pic.twitter.com/qlP21697fd
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) March 8, 2019
Thanks to Nike my cricket has always been bold and fearless, I am sure it only gets better for all my team mates with the New Jersey. #Nike pic.twitter.com/xv01TZTSVo
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) March 6, 2019
As families try to bear the loss of their dear ones, these sort of incidences have been happening far too frequently and I really hope that there is a permanent solution achieved. The blood shed by our Jawans should at least matter for the cause. Jai Hind #Pulawamaattack.
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) February 17, 2019
My #10YearChallenge took me to the 2009 Ipl in South Africa. ? well I nominate @DineshKarthik and @SriniMaama16 now to take it forward.? pic.twitter.com/nICuqkkkxr
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) January 16, 2019
Ashwin’s fastest spin ball delivery is 131.6 km/h which was during IPL 2022..
R Ashwin bowls the wider arm delivery to impart side spin.
R Ashwin is arguably among the best spinners in the world with 474 ODI wickets in his name.
On 13 November 2011, Ashwin married his childhood friend Prithi Narayanan. They have two children named Akhira and Aadhya.
