Ravichandran Ashwin | Birth, Age, and Education
Ravichandran Ashwin is a renowned Indian cricketer, known for his all-round abilities, representing Team India. He was born on September 17, 1986, in Chennai and made his international debut in 2010. Ravichandran Ashwin biography.
Initially starting as a medium-fast bowler and a batsman, Ashwin also featured in India’s U-17 cricket team as a batsman. However, a hip injury forced him to rethink his approach, leading him to explore off-spin bowling. The outcome of this decision is evident to all, as Ashwin has now established himself as the top-ranked bowler in the world.
Ashwin’s contributions have been vital to India’s success, particularly in their journey to the finals of the World Test Championship. Ravichandran Ashwin, widely known as Ash, was born on September 17, 1986, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He is a celebrated Indian cricketer and an all-rounder, playing a significant role in the national team. Ashwin pursued his education at Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan and St. Bede’s schools before completing his B. Tech. in Information Technology from Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering in Chennai. Raised in a Hindu family, he has made India proud with his remarkable performances in cricket.
The cricketer’s family includes his father Ravichandran, his mother Chitra, and his wife Prithi Narayanan, who happens to be his childhood friend. Together, they have two children, Aadhya Ashwin and Akhira Ashwin. Ashwin’s journey in cricket began with a focus on medium-fast bowling and batting, even representing India in the U-17 cricket team as a batsman. However, a hip injury compelled him to reconsider his approach, leading him to develop his skills in right-arm off-break bowling. Ravichandran Ashwin biography.
Throughout his career, Ashwin has showcased his talent in various teams, including India, Tamil Nadu, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab, Rising Pune Supergiants, Worcestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Dindigul Dragons. His debut in first-class cricket took place on December 9, 2006, against Haryana, while his list A debut was on February 10, 2007, playing for Tamil Nadu against Andhra. He made his T20 debut on April 3, 2007, representing Tamil Nadu against Andhra, and marked his IPL debut on April 18, 2009, playing for Chennai Super Kings against Mumbai Indians at Newlands, Cape Town.
Ashwin’s international debut came on June 5, 2010, in an ODI against Sri Lanka at Harare. Subsequently, he made his T20I debut on June 12, 2010, against Zimbabwe, also at Harare. His Test debut occurred on November 6-9, 2011, playing for India against West Indies in Delhi.
In his cricketing journey, Ashwin has looked up to legendary cricketers such as Sachin Tendulkar, Clive Lloyd, and Vivian Richards for their batting prowess, while he draws inspiration from Shane Warne, the legendary Australian bowler, and Kapil Dev, the former Indian all-rounder. His skills and dedication have earned him a special place in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
Ravichandran Ashwin Cricket Career
Ravichandran Ashwin, initially a promising opening batsman, faced a setback at the age of 14 due to a pelvic injury, which led him to abandon his batting aspirations. Despite challenges like a neurological infection during his school days, Ashwin persevered in his cricketing journey. His father, who worked for Southern Railways, played a significant role in shaping his cricketing career. Starting as a fast bowler, Ashwin’s mother recognized his potential as a spinner, a decision that proved to be instrumental in his success. Ravichandran Ashwin biography.
His passion for spin bowling grew when he captained his team at the National Cricket Academy and impressed everyone with a remarkable 7-wicket haul. Ashwin made his debut across all formats of cricket, be it T20I, ODI, or Test, and in each debut match, he managed to take at least one wicket. His talent was recognized by the Indian government, and he was honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2014, which is the highest sporting honor in India. Ravichandran Ashwin biography.
Ashwin’s career soared to greater heights as he received accolades like the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year and ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2016. However, he also faced criticism for his controversial ‘Mankading’ dismissal of Jos Buttler in an IPL match, a move considered within the rules but against the spirit of the game.
Throughout his cricketing journey, Ashwin has achieved remarkable milestones, including being the fastest Indian to reach 50, 100, and 150 Test wickets. He also holds joint records for being the fastest to reach 50 wickets and score 500 runs in Test cricket and the fastest to take 200 and 300 Test wickets. With his incredible skills, he has become the fourth-highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket and holds the record for most five-wicket and ten-wicket hauls. Additionally, he has showcased his batting prowess, scoring five centuries and eleven half-centuries in Test matches, making him a valuable asset in the Indian cricket setup.
As a versatile player, Ashwin has been a prominent figure in various cricket leagues, including the IPL, where he features in the top 10 list of wicket-takers. While he is no longer part of India’s limited-overs setup, he continues to be the first-choice spinner in Test cricket. With an impressive record in T20 international cricket and numerous accolades to his name, Ashwin remains a cherished figure in Indian cricket history.
Ravichandran Ashwin Family
Ravichandran Ashwin, the accomplished cricketer, is a married man. His wife is Prithi Narayanan, and they tied the knot on November 13, 2011. The couple shares the joy of parenthood with their two daughters, Akhira Ashwin and Aadhya Ashwin. Ravichandran Ashwin biography.
Ashwin’s parents are Narayanasamy Ravichandran (father) and Ravichandran Chitra (mother). He also has a paternal grandfather named S. Narayanasamy. Additionally, he has a sister-in-law named Shruthi Narayanan.
In his cricketing journey, Ashwin plays as a bowling all-rounder, showcasing his skills as a right-handed batsman and a right-arm off-break bowler. He received guidance and coaching from C. K. Vijay and Sunil Subramaniam throughout his career.
Regarding education, Ashwin attended Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan and St. Bede’s Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School in Chennai during his school years. For higher studies, he pursued a B. Tech. in Information Technology at Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering (SSN), Chennai.
Cricket experts often regard him as a unique combination of three legendary Indian spin bowlers, namely Bishan Singh Bedi, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, and Erapalli Prasanna. Notably, he is only the third Indian player to receive the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, joining the ranks of cricketing legends Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.
Ashwin’s admiration for former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly is well-known, as Ganguly holds a special place as his all-time favourite captain. In the history of cricket, he stands out as the sole bowler to dismiss Kumar Sangakkara in four consecutive games, an extraordinary feat.
Beyond cricket, Ashwin has a soft spot for dogs and is an avid dog lover. During his visits to Chennai, he enjoys taking his dogs for walks during the serene nights. Additionally, he indulges his passion for movies and is a true movie buff, making it a point to watch every new release at the renowned Sathyam Cinema in Chennai. Among superheroes, Batman holds a special place in his heart as his favourite.
Ashwin Controversies
In September 2016, during a Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) match, there was a heated incident involving Ravichandran Ashwin while he was batting for Dindigul Dragons against Chepauk Super Gillies. After his batting partner, Jagadeesan Narayan, got dismissed, Ashwin and Narayan engaged in a verbal and physical altercation with the bowler Kishore, who also got involved. This incident garnered attention for Ashwin’s loss of temper on the cricket field.
In December 2016, Ashwin faced social media trolling after he omitted to mention the name of former captain MS Dhoni in his thank-you speech upon winning the ICC Best Test Cricketer Award. The omission caused controversy and attracted criticism from some fans and followers on various online platforms.
Another incident occurred on February 19, 2018, when Ashwin promoted a shoe brand on Twitter. This caught the attention of former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs, who made a comment about Ashwin’s running speed. In response, Ashwin defended himself by mentioning Gibbs’ involvement in a match-fixing controversy. However, he later deleted the tweets as a gesture of respect towards his fans and followers.
These incidents brought moments of controversy and scrutiny for Ashwin, but they also highlighted the intense emotions and pressures that cricketers often face in the public eye.
Ravichandran Ashwin Awards
Throughout his illustrious cricketing career, Ravichandran Ashwin has been showered with numerous prestigious awards and accolades. In 2014, he was honored with the Arjuna Award, recognizing his remarkable contributions to the sport. His exceptional performances in Test cricket earned him a place in the ICC Test Team of the Year for four consecutive years, from 2013 to 2016, solidifying his reputation as one of the finest Test cricketers.
Within the Indian cricket fraternity, Ashwin’s excellence was duly acknowledged with multiple awards. He received the BCCI’s Dilip Sardesai Award for India’s best cricketer in the years 2010-11 and 2015-16. Moreover, the BCCI bestowed upon him the Polly Umrigar Award for International Cricketer of the Year in the season 2012-13.
The pinnacle of his achievements came in 2016 when he claimed the coveted ICC Test Player of the Year and ICC Cricketer of the Year awards, cementing his status as one of the finest cricketers on the global stage. The CEAT International Cricketer of the Year for the year 2016-17 was yet another accolade that underscored his exceptional prowess on the cricket field. Ashwin’s skill and dedication have earned him a special place among the cricketing greats, and his remarkable achievements continue to inspire aspiring cricketers worldwide.
