'I am MVP, not Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli': Ravichandran Ashwin takes aim at batting greats

In a momentous occasion for Indian cricket, all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin recently made the decision to step back from the international scene. This move has garnered a tremendous amount of respect and admiration from fans and fellow players alike. However, Ashwin, known for his humility, is not seeking praise or recognition. To him, cricket goes beyond individual achievements.

The seasoned spinner, who has an impressive 537 Test wickets to his credit, participated in a thought-provoking discussion with former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain. Connecting virtually from his hometown of Chennai, Ashwin reflected on his illustrious career and shared insights into his journey in the sport.

In a recent enlightening conversation, Ashwin explored the captivating themes of his memoir, "I Have The Streets: A Kutty Cricket Story," which was published earlier this year. One of the key points he addressed was a common misconception about his playing style compared to the more flamboyant Virat Kohli. Despite popular belief, Ashwin fervently shared that he finds great joy in the game of cricket.

"I want people to appreciate who I truly am. Often, when I take a wicket and you see Virat celebrating flamboyantly, people tend to label me as overly serious. My response is this: I’m not serious at all. But when I’m in the heat of the game, especially when the stakes are at their highest, my focus intensifies. Unfortunately, that often goes unnoticed. You won't see me celebrating a five-wicket haul with grand gestures because I’m in the moment. This essence of myself has sometimes been overshadowed by my reputation, and I wanted to clarify that through my book," Ashwin shared with Sky Sports.

Within the pantheon of Indian cricket legends, such as Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, Ashwin emphasizes the importance of recognizing the contributions of all players, as cricket is a team sport. He confidently asserts that he has consistently seen himself as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in his personal cricket journey.

“Conversations about Indian cricket often revolve around stars like Virat and Rohit. However, I want to shift that perspective. When I was growing up, I admired Sachin and other greats, but the belief that everyone else plays a supporting role is misguided. In my life and for my family, I am the MVP; it isn't Rohit or Virat. Each player's journey is unique, and I proudly consider myself the MVP of my cricket journey,” he added.

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