Ravichandran Ashwin Biography: The Spin Wizard of Indian Cricket

Category Details
Full Name Ravichandran Ashwin
Born September 17, 1986
Birth Place Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Role All-rounder
Batting Style Right-hand bat
Bowling Style Right-arm off-spin
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Career Information
  • Test Debut: November 6, 2011, vs West Indies
  • ODI Debut: June 5, 2010, vs Sri Lanka
  • T20I Debut: June 12, 2010, vs Zimbabwe
Teams
  • India
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Chennai Super Kings
  • Rising Pune Supergiants
  • Delhi Capitals
  • Rajasthan Royals

Ashwin’s success comes from his careful approach and sharp mind. Mastering tricky deliveries like the carrom ball and arm ball, he is a formidable opponent for batsmen worldwide. Ashwin has demonstrated excellence since his early days with the Indian team and has left a lasting impact on the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well as international matches.

Not only a great player, Ashwin is a respected cricket analyst and a champion for the sport in India. His dedication and insight inspire fans and young cricketers alike, making him a true ambassador of cricket.

Biography Of Ravichandran Ashwin


Ravichandran Ashwin’s Lifestyle

Ravichandran Ashwin, a renowned Tamil Nadu cricketer, was born and raised in Chennai’s West Mambalam. Ashwin’s early life was steeped in cricket, as his father played at the club level. He attended Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan and later St. Bede’s School, and eventually earned a BTech in Information Technology from SSN College of Engineering.

On November 13, 2011, Ashwin married his childhood friend, Prithi Narayanan. Together, they have two daughters who are a central part of Ashwin’s life off the field.

Key Facts Details
Height 188 cm (6′ 2″)
Weight 75 kg (165 lbs)
Jersey Number #99 (India), #99 (Domestic)
Marital Status Married
Children 2 daughters
Salary (as of 2018)
  • Retainer Fee: ₹5 crore
  • Test Fee: ₹15 lakh
  • ODI Fee: ₹6 lakh
  • T20 Fee: ₹3 lakh
  • IPL 11: ₹7.6 crore


Ashwin enjoys reading, especially autobiographies of Australian cricketers like Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. He also reads novels by Clive Cussler and Chetan Bhagat. In his spare time, Ashwin plays tennis, basketball, and football, and is a frequent movie watcher.

Cricket remains Ashwin’s passion on and off the field. He plans to play for the Dindigul Dragons in the Tamil Nadu Premier League and aims to revive street cricket in Chennai.

Early Life and Introduction to Cricket

Ashwin started playing cricket at nine, joining the YMCA in Chennai under the guidance of coach Chandrasekar Rao. His passion for cricket was evident from the start. At St. Bede’s School, Ashwin joined a new cricket academy under the coaching of C.K. Vijaya Kumar, who advised him to switch from medium-pace to off-spin bowling.

Further honing his skills, Ashwin received guidance from Sunil Subramaniam and W.V. Raman, and even played as an opening batsman for the Indian under-17 team.

Ravichandran Ashwin: The Rising Star

Ashwin’s career has been defined by his consistency and adaptability. His impressive bowling stats have cemented his place in the Indian team, especially in Test cricket, where he has taken over 500 wickets with a remarkable average of 23.65. As a versatile lower-order batter, he has also scored six Test centuries, making him one of the few players to achieve both 3,000 runs and 500 wickets in Tests.


Ravichandran Ashwin Cricket Career

Ashwin’s international career began in 2011 against the West Indies, where he quickly became a leading Test bowler. His adaptability has made him indispensable in ODIs and T20Is as well.

In 2016, Ashwin was named ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Test Cricketer of the Year, underscoring his outstanding contributions to the sport.


Ashwin’s Test Debut and Rise to Prominence

Ravichandran Ashwin’s Test journey began with his debut against the West Indies in 2011, receiving his cap from Sachin Tendulkar. He took three wickets in the first innings and a five-wicket haul in the second, earning him the “Man of the Match” award.

Ashwin became the fastest bowler to reach 300 Test wickets, achieving the milestone in just 54 matches, surpassing Dennis Lillee’s record. Today, he has taken over 500 Test wickets and won 11 “Man of the Series” awards, tying with Muttiah Muralitharan for the most by any cricketer.

Bowler Wickets in ICC World Test Championship
Ravichandran Ashwin 189
Nathan Lyon 187
Pat Cummins 175

Ashwin leads the ICC World Test Championship with 189 wickets, showcasing his mastery in adapting to different pitches and conditions, strengthening India’s bowling lineup and securing his legacy.

The Versatile All-Rounder: Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin is one of India’s most valuable all-rounders in cricket today. His batting prowess and skill with the ball have led India to crucial victories, making him indispensable across all formats.

Contributions Across All Formats

Ashwin’s versatility shines through his impressive stats in various formats. In Test cricket, he has achieved six Test centuries and is one of only three players with 3,000 runs and 500 wickets. His consistent contributions have often given India the edge in close matches, and his adaptability to shorter formats has further cemented his status as a key player.

Format Batting Statistics Bowling Statistics
Test
  • 6 Test centuries
  • 3,000+ runs
  • 500+ wickets
ODI
  • Valuable batting contributions
  • Effective bowling spells
T20I
  • Adaptable batting approach
  • Crucial bowling performances

Ashwin’s all-round skills have earned praise from both rivals and experts. His consistent performances across formats make him one of modern cricket’s most valuable players.


Ravichandran Ashwin in the IPL

Since 2009, Ravichandran Ashwin has been a key player in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He started with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he won two titles from 2008 to 2015. Known for his economical bowling, Ashwin became a crucial part of CSK’s success.

In 2010, Ashwin’s performance earned him the Man of the Series award in the Champions League Twenty20, helping CSK secure the championship.

Ravichandran Ashwin IPL Highlights

Following CSK’s suspension, Ashwin played for Rising Pune Supergiant, Kings XI Punjab, and later joined Delhi Capitals before moving to Rajasthan Royals in 2022. Before the 2024 season, Ashwin had claimed over 170 wickets in the IPL.

Ashwin’s versatility as an all-rounder has been on full display in the IPL, where his performances with both bat and ball have earned him a large fan following. Videos showcasing his highlights have attracted over 58,000 views online.


FAQ’s

Who is Ravichandran Ashwin?

Ravichandran Ashwin is a top Indian cricketer and off-spinner. He is a key player in the Indian national team and helped India win the 2011 Cricket World Cup and 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.

Where is Ravichandran Ashwin from?

Ashwin was born on September 17, 1986, in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India.

What is Ravichandran Ashwin’s educational background?

He attended Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan and St. Bede’s School, later graduating with a BTech in Information Technology from SSN College of Engineering in Chennai.

How did Ravichandran Ashwin get into cricket?

Ashwin started cricket at nine for YMCA, coached by Chandrasekar Rao. At St. Bede’s School, coach C.K. Vijaya Kumar advised him to switch from medium-pace to off-spin bowling.

When did Ravichandran Ashwin make his international debut?

Ashwin debuted in limited-overs formats in 2010. He played his first ODI against Sri Lanka and first T20I against Zimbabwe, contributing to India’s 2010 Asia Cup and 2011 Cricket World Cup victories.

When did Ravichandran Ashwin make his Test debut?

He debuted in Tests against West Indies in November 2011, with Sachin Tendulkar presenting him his cap. Ashwin took 3 wickets in the first innings and five in the second, earning Man of the Match honors.

What are Ravichandran Ashwin’s achievements in Test cricket?

Ashwin has taken over 500 Test wickets and is the fastest to reach 300 Test wickets by innings. He has also scored six Test centuries and is one of only three players with both 3,000 runs and 500 wickets in Tests.

How has Ravichandran Ashwin performed in the IPL?

Ashwin has been a top IPL performer since 2009. He played for Chennai Super Kings from 2008 to 2015, winning two titles. Before the 2024 season, he had over 170 wickets in the IPL.

What makes Ravichandran Ashwin a versatile all-rounder?

Ashwin is an accomplished bowler and lower-order batsman. He has scored six Test centuries and taken over 500 wickets, making him invaluable in close games and an all-round asset for India.