A player is not bigger than the game. Ashwin exposed Indian cricket and made a big attack on the fake narrative of social media:

News India Live, Digital Desk: Indian cricket team’s veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is known for often speaking bitter truth in his ‘Youtube channel’ and recent interviews. This time he has attacked the system which promotes individual worship instead of teamwork. Ashwin believes that this culture is hollowing the roots of Indian cricket.

1. Superstar Culture vs. Team Game

Ashwin said that cricket is a team game, but in India it has been made a battle of ‘superstars’. He argued that when we give God status to one or two players, the contribution of the remaining nine players is ignored. This ‘hero worship’ also disturbs the balance in the dressing room.

2. Social media and the game of ‘paid narrative’

Ashwin directly alleged that everything seen on social media is not true. he claimed:

Narrative Building: PR teams of some players and insiders of the cricket world create a special narrative on social media.

Targeting: If a player is performing well but is not a ‘superstar’, then attempts are made to bring him down through trolling on social media.

Fan Wars: According to Ashwin, due to these narratives, mutual enmity (Fan Wars) increases between fans, which is not good for Indian cricket.

3. Questions raised on selection and bias

Ashwin pointed out that sometimes selectors also get influenced due to social media pressure. When a player’s ‘hype’ is too high, he continues to get a place in the team despite poor form, while players who perform brilliantly in domestic cricket remain unnoticed.

4. ‘Learn from other countries’

Giving the example of Australia and England, Ashwin said that players keep coming and going there, but the system remains strong. There no player is considered bigger than the game. In India, unless we give priority to ‘work’ rather than ‘name’, it will be difficult to bear the pressure in the knockout matches of big tournaments.

Key Highlights of Ashwin’s statement

PR Machinery: PR agencies running for branding of players are harming the dignity of the game.

Blind devotion: Fans should support ‘Indian Team’ instead of the players.

Truth of social media: Team selection should not be influenced by the environment created on Twitter (X) and Instagram.