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'Overthinker Tag Was Created to Work Against Me': Ravichandran Ashwin Reveals

image-lj2dupvgRavichandran Ashwin has played 92 Tests for India [Source: Twitter]

Ever since his snub in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023, India's premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been speaking his heart out about his journey as a cricketer. Ashwin, who is known to be one of the brilliant minds in cricket, has often been a victim of prejudices, which has hampered his growth as a player at times.

Despite being one of the most experienced and successful players within Team India, the off-spinner has never been considered captaincy material in Test cricket, where he excels the most. Ashwin is currently leading Dindigul Dragons in the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2023.

Speaking in an interview with Indian Express, Ashwin has opened up about how being labeled as an "overthinker" went against his captaincy aspirations. 

Here's what Ashwin said

"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 been out there telling, my name is not the first name of the sheet when India tour 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,"

The 36-year-old further dwelled about how unlike other players, who were assured of games, Ashwin's place in the XI was never confirmed, which lead to him overthinking.

"A lot of people marketed me and positioned me that I am an overthinker. 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 traumatised 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 captained the Punjab Kings franchise in Indian Premier League (IPL) in the 2018 and 2019 editions, losing 16 matches across both seasons.