In the search for Virat Kohli’s successor as India’s Test captain, several names were discussed, including Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant. However, one surprising and underrated option that emerged was Ravichandran Ashwin. Despite his captaincy experience, Ashwin’s name was rarely mentioned. In a recent interview with Indian Express, Ashwin shed light on why he was denied the captaincy role and addressed the label of being an “overthinker” in world cricket.
Ashwin explained that if he had received the assurance of a consistent place in the playing XI like most other Indian players, he wouldn’t have been plagued by overthinking or feelings of being “traumatized” about his role. He expressed his frustration with people unfairly labeling him as an overthinker and emphasized that a player who knows they will only get a few opportunities will naturally be more concerned about their performance.
He said, “A person who will get 15-20 matches on the go doesn’t have to be mentally overthinking. A person who knows that they will get only two games will be traumatized and will be overthinking because it’s my job. It’s my journey. So this is what suits me. If somebody is going to tell me, ‘you’re going to play 15 matches, you will be looked after, you will be this, you are responsible for players, you are in the leadership role, I won’t be overthinking. Why would I?”
Ashwin believes it is unfair for others to label him as an overthinker because each person’s journey is unique, and nobody has the right to judge or criticize someone else’s approach.
When asked if this tag has worked against him, Ashwin revealed that there was a plot to deny him the India captaincy role. He also mentioned the opinions of veteran cricketers who have often stated that his name wouldn’t be the first on the team sheet for overseas Test matches.
“It was created to work against me, right? And as I said, there have been statements that people have made all along when leadership question has come my way, there have been people who are out there telling that my name is not the first name on the sheet when India tours abroad. Whether that name is first on the sheet or not is something I can’t control. If I earned it, it’s got to be there, and that’s my belief. As I said, I have no complaints, I have no time to sit back and throw punches or regret or anything. I have no regrets about anyone,” he expressed.
Currently leading the Dindigul Dragons in the ongoing 2023 Tamil Nadu Premier League, Ashwin is set to rejoin the national side next month for the West Indies tour.
