Confidence or cockiness?

Ravichandran Ashwin, who is probably in the best phase of his career, has already etched his name among the legends of the game, in terms of many individual records. Apart from his on-field accomplishments, the 30-year-old, also possesses all necessary traits that are required from a modern-day sportsperson — oozing immense self-confidence, up for mind games and not afraid to hold back his opinion. These are the qualities that we see in international footballers like Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and many others.

He may be on top of the cricketing charts — but is his confidence going off the rails? Social media, as always, questioned if Ashwin’s recent comments to a number of papers appear bullish to the point of sounding arrogant — and even if he has reason to — the spinner would do well to remember that cricket is a team sport after all.

Some comments about how he played a crucial role in most of India’s victories and how he leads without a title (not being the captain or vice-captain), not only re-emphasised that the all-rounder possesses all the above mentioned attributes for an ideal modern-day sportsperson —  but also paved way for a social media discussion, with many fans on the fence about his supposed arrogance. We get in touch with former cricketers, commentators and upcoming cricketers to decode his psyche.

Sridharan Sharath, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association Selection Committee Chairman and former Ranji Trophy player, says that he’s pleased to see how Ashwin carries himself, on and off the field. “I feel his comments are blown out of proportion by others. He has contributed a lot to the Indian cricket team and his records speak for himself. He’s the kind of person who doesn’t shy away from making honest statements, which shows how self-confident he is. I feel very happy when I see Ashwin’s growth and I would love to see him stay the same way, and not change his ways due to public pressure.”

Cricket presenter Suhail Chandhok, who also shares a similar point of view, states, “Sometimes, you have to read between the lines — the Indian team is in the verge of playing a big series (against Australia). So, I think there are slight mind games involved to show the Aussies how ready he is. His recent statements might have sounded arrogant to an outsider — but it only shows the belief he has in himself. I have played with Ashwin at the junior level and he’s a very warm person and a fighter.”

Nilesh Subramanian, an emerging cricketer and who represented Ruby Kanchi Warriors in the first edition of Tamil Nadu Premier League, praises Ashwin and says that the best quality in the World No.1 Test bowler is that, he is very approachable.  “While I was playing for Jolly Rovers in a first division match, Ashwin was in the opponent team — and when he came to know that I’m also from SSN College (where Ashwin did engineering) he came to me and spoke with me,” Nilesh says.

He was very warm and he even spoke to me when I was at the non-striker’s end! I was amazed that he’s so down-to-earth — he did not showcase the aura of being an international sportsperson at all. He is also very approachable for any emerging cricketer. Whenever we ask him for any advice, he gives valuable inputs,” Nilesh says.

On the other hand,  cricket commentato and media personality Bosskey says that he wishes cricketers  follow Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s route in being diplomatic. — “Fans already have high regard for him as a cricketer — so I don’t see the necessity for Ashwin to come up with certain statements. Does he come out and own up the same way whenever he has a bad game, once in a while? That, for me, proves that a cricketer has real mettle, and I’d like to see Ash display such character!”