"All we do in the IPL is advertisement shoots and cricket takes a backseat.."- Ravichandran Ashwin's massive allegation

Veteran Indian spin-bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin recently made interesting comments about the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ravichandran Ashwin acknowledged the T20 tournament’s substantial growth and its significant commercial influence.

Ashwin’s statement came while discussing the remarkable evolution of the IPL since its inception in 2008. Ashwin, who debuted in the IPL in 2009, currently represents the Rajasthan Royals in the tournament. He clinched the IPL title twice during his career.

Was Only Looking To Learn From The Big Stars – Ravichandran Ashwin

In a discussion on the Club Prairie Fire podcast alongside Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan, Ravichandran Ashwin questioned whether the IPL’s scale overshadows its sporting essence. He expressed awe at how significantly the league has evolved over the years.

“As a youngster coming into the IPL, I was only looking to learn from the big stars, I did not think about how the IPL would look 10 years down the line. I can say that having been in the IPL for so many seasons, the IPL is huge. Sometimes I wonder if IPL is even cricket because the sport takes a backstage (during IPL). It’s so huge. We do end up practicing in advertisement shoots and sets! That’s where the IPL has gotten to,” said Ashwin.

Ashwin began his IPL career with the Chennai Super Kings, leading to his representation of India across formats. He has taken 172 wickets in 199 matches, with a bowling average of 28.77 and an economy rate of 7.04. He also contributed with the bat, scoring 743 runs.

There Was A Big Influx Of Money – Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin recounted a conversation with former cricketer Scott Styris during the initial seasons of the IPL. Styris expressed skepticism about the IPL’s longevity, predicting it wouldn’t extend beyond a few years due to the big influx of money.

“No one envisaged the kind of growth that the IPL has had. I still remember a conversation I had with Scott Styris when we were both at CSK. He told me that when he was playing for the Deccan Chargers in the initial seasons of IPL, he did not think the IPL would last for more than two to three years. Initially, there was a big influx of money,” Ashwin added.

The IPL has evolved into a pathway for the Indian national cricket team, offering more than just financial rewards. It provides overseas players with substantial earnings and a platform for emerging talents and established stars to gain household recognition.

Ravichandran Ashwin Shines With Bat During RR vs DC Clash

Ashwin showcased his batting prowess during the IPL 2024 match against the Delhi Capitals in Jaipur on March 28. Ashwin was promoted to bat at No. 5 after the Royals found themselves at 36/3. The decision proved successful, turning the game in their favor.

The experienced player scored 29 runs off just 19 deliveries. The 37-year-old thrilled the spectators with remarkable sixes, especially against bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav and Anrich Nortje. Ashwin injected momentum into his team following a challenging start.

Ravichandran Ashwin was dismissed in the 14th over while attempting to clear the deep mid-wicket fence off Axar Patel’s delivery but was caught by Tristan Stubbs. The RR team posted 185 runs in 20 overs and then restricted the DC team to 173 runs.

Also read: Not Yuzvendra Chahal or Trent Boult!! Ravichandran Ashwin names this teammate among the top 5 greatest bowlers in IPL history