People Might Think That I Am Arrogant, But I Am Too Straight: Ravichandran Ashwin

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the most candid cricketers to play today. Ashwin has been one of the many active cricketers over social media, engaging in sessions with his fellow countrymen like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in a show named ‘Reminisce with Ash’. With cricket under suspension, for now, cricketers have found plenty of themselves to spend time with their family.

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One of Ravichandran Ashwin’s incidents that grabbed spotlight was in IPL 2019 when he deployed the Mankad rule to run out Jos Buttler. As Buttler, who was at the non-striker’s end, stepped out of the crease, the off-spinner took the bails and dismissed him. The incident sparked plenty of debates; however, Ashwin displayed no regrets over his deeds and vowed to do it again.

This year again, the 33-year old took to his official Twitter handle and used the same picture as the Indian government announced a nationwide lockdown to curb the COVID-19 spread. The objective of putting that photo was to iterate to the Indian citizens to stay indoors that would help them to remain safe.

In an interaction with Radhakrishnan Sreenivasan, Ravichandran Ashwin recalled the time when he started speaking to the media. He was trying to spread awareness about the Coronavirus outbreak; however, overtime felt he was trying to cause negativity. The Tamil Nadu off-spinner has picked up 371 wickets in 65 Tests so far.

“When I first started talking on social media, I was talking a lot about the COVID-19 breakout, trying to spread across messages. But somewhere down the line I felt it was spreading a lot of negativity.” the prolific wicket-taker said as quoted by Mid Day.

When there is a question posed to me, I answer that question. I don’t see what answer will fit the brand value: Ravichandran Ashwin

The 33-year old finger spinner defended himself by claiming he isn’t arrogant but straight-forward. Ashwin went on to say that plenty of people have advised him to remain diplomatic at times; however, he would like to answer any question with what he feels without thinking of the consequences.

“People might think that I am arrogant because sometimes it’s not their way of life. I am too straight. A lot of people, in the last 10-11 years, have given me the feedback saying that you should try and be a little diplomatic because straight trees are cut first. “But I chose to tread a path that I am comfortable with. When there is a question posed to me, I answer that question. I don’t see what answer will fit the brand value.” Ashwin added.

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