Ravichandran Ashwin

Few bowlers have bent a cricket match to their will like Ravichandran Ashwin at his peak. The 2021 Chennai Test against England, where he followed a second-innings five-wicket haul with a century on a raging turner, captured his genius for outthinking batsmen on helpful surfaces. Off the field, his strategic brain and candid interviews made him one of the most compelling figures in the modern game.

Ashwin's journey began as a tall, accurate off-spinner from Chennai who converted from opening the batting as a junior. He made his Test debut in 2011, took a nine-wicket match haul and scored a hundred in his first series against West Indies, and over the next decade became the fastest Indian to a string of wicket milestones. He finished with 537 Test wickets, second only to Anil Kumble for India, along with six Test centuries. His craft evolved from classical off-breaks to an arsenal of carrom balls, undercutters and subtle changes of pace, each refined through relentless experiment. For Chennai Super Kings and other IPL franchises he was a master of control. He announced his international retirement in December 2024, mid-tour in Australia, and stepped away from the IPL the following year, though his voice still shapes how spin bowling is discussed and taught.