Ravichandran Ashwin shocked the cricket fraternity a few months ago when he revealed that he would be retiring from international cricket midway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The 38-year-old bid adieu after the third Test of the Gabba, Brisbane, bringing an end to a phenomenal international career. Though he is no longer playing for India at the international level, Ashwin still plays in domestic cricket for Tamil Nadu and for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Pujara’s Choice for Next India Coach
In a recent Q&A session at ESPNcricinfo, veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara was questioned about someone he could envision as the future coach of the Indian cricket team. With no hesitation, Pujara cited Ashwin as the “perfect candidate.” Famous for his acumen in the game and his problem-solving mind out on the field, Ashwin has been one of the wittiest minds in the game for a long time.
A Street-Smart Cricketer
Ashwin’s knack for outsmarting rivals has been his calling card throughout his career. Following India’s dramatic T20 World Cup 2022 victory against Pakistan, Virat Kohli famously labeled him a “scientist” for thinking ahead of Mohammad Nawaz’s wide delivery in the heat of the moment. With 765 international wickets across 106 Tests, 116 ODIs, and 65 T20Is, Ashwin goes down as India’s second-highest wicket-taker, behind only Anil Kumble. His tactical sense, coupled with an enormous amount of experience, is what gives players like Pujara hope of his potential as a future coach.
Despite his reputation as a thinker of the game, Ashwin has often expressed displeasure at being called an “overthinker.” In an interview with the Indian Express, he clarified that his approach is a personal journey, saying, “It’s unfair to say somebody’s an overthinker. Nobody has the right to judge another’s journey. If I’ve earned a place, it will be there simple as that.”
Future with CSK and Beyond
Ashwin played for CSK in IPL 2025 but had a modest season where he picked only seven wickets from nine games. As the franchise prepares to make key retention choices before the new season, doubts persist regarding his IPL future. No matter what happens in franchise cricket, Ashwin’s name is now being mentioned more and more with a potential role in defining India’s cricketing future away from the field.
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