Ravichandran Ashwin – A Glance at His Journey
Ravichandran Ashwin, one of the greatest spin bowlers in cricket history, hails from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Known for his mastery of spin variations and cricketing intelligence, Ashwin has etched his name among the legends of Indian cricket. His remarkable records and contributions in Test, ODI, and T20 cricket have made him a pivotal player for India over the years. Below is a detailed overview of his career and personal life.
Ravichandran Ashwin: Quick Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ravichandran Ashwin |
| Nicknames | Ash, R Ashwin |
| Profession | Cricketer (Spin Bowler) |
| Age (as of 2024) | 38 Years |
| Date of Birth | 17 September 1986 |
| Birthplace | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Height | 6′ 2″ (188 cm) |
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Wife | Narayanan Prithi (m. 2011 – present) |
| Children | Daughters: Akhira (2015), Aadhya (2016) |
| Hometown | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
Cricket Career Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| International Debut | ODI: 5 June 2010 (vs Sri Lanka, Harare) Test: 6 November 2011 (vs West Indies, Delhi) T20I: 12 June 2010 (vs Zimbabwe, Harare) |
| Last Matches Played | ODI: 8 October 2023 (vs Australia, Chennai) Test: 6 December 2024 (vs Australia, Adelaide) T20I: 10 November 2022 (vs England, Adelaide) |
| Retirement | 18 December 2024 (all formats) |
| Jersey Number | #99 (India and Domestic) |
| Domestic Teams | Chennai Super Kings, Tamil Nadu, Rising Pune Supergiants, Worcestershire |
| Favourite Ball | Carrom Ball |
| Major Records | – Fastest Indian to 50 and 100 Test wickets – Second fastest to 200 Test wickets – Fastest to 300 Test wickets (54 matches) – First spinner to dismiss a batsman on the first ball of an innings in over 100 years (2021) – Took 500th Test wicket on 16 February 2024 |
Educational and Personal Life
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Schooling | Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan, Chennai St. Bede’s Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School |
| College | Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering (SSN), Chennai |
| Educational Qualification | B.Tech in Information Technology (IT) |
| Father | Ravichandran (Former club-level cricketer and worked with Southern Railways) |
| Mother | Chitra |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Caste | Brahmin |
| Hobbies | Reading, Watching movies, Tennis, Basketball, Football |
Some Lesser-Known Facts
Key Records & Facts
- Spin Wizard: Known for his Carrom ball and versatile spin bowling.
- 300+ Test Wickets: Fastest Indian to achieve this milestone (54 matches).
- Rare Feats: Took wickets of both father and son (Shivnarine & Tagenarine Chanderpaul).
- Mankading Incident: Famously dismissed Jos Buttler in IPL via “Mankading” in 2019.
- ICC Awards: ICC Cricketer of the Year (2016).
- Mental Health Advocate: Overcame professional pressure through external assistance.
| Fact |
|---|
| He initially played cricket as an opening batsman but switched to spin bowling after a hip injury. |
| He is the fastest Indian to reach 300 Test wickets and one of the quickest to 500 wickets globally. |
| Ashwin was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2014. |
| His favorite cricketers include Sachin Tendulkar, Shane Warne, and Kapil Dev. |
| He was a guest contestant on Vijay TV’s ‘Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi’ (Tamil version of KBC). |
| Ashwin once decided to quit cricket in 2017 due to pressure but regained his passion after external assistance. |
| He is an avid dog lover and often walks his dogs when in Chennai. |
This concise table-based format provides a quick yet detailed glance at Ravichandran Ashwin’s incredible journey and personal life.
Conclusion
Ravichandran Ashwin’s journey from a budding cricketer in Chennai to one of the greatest spinners in world cricket is a testament to his hard work, resilience, and tactical brilliance. With multiple records to his name, Ashwin remains a pivotal figure in Indian cricket. His ability to evolve as a player and adapt to various challenges has made him a role model for aspiring cricketers. Even post-retirement, his contributions to cricket and his insights into the game will continue to inspire generations.
