During the recent Test series against England, Ravichandran Ashwin played his 100th Test match and took his 500th Test wicket, achieving significant milestones in his career.
Ashwin, known for his strategic approach to cricket, feels that being called an ‘overthinker’ has hindered his chances of taking up leadership roles in teams.
In a conversation with The Indian Express, Ashwin shared his thoughts on how this label affected him. He explained that while every player has their unique methods, he often faces criticism for his analytical approach.
Ashwin emphasized that he believes in addressing issues before they become significant problems, which might not align with the simpler approach preferred by many in the cricket community.
He acknowledged the differences in individual journeys and opportunities, expressing acceptance of his limited chances compared to others.
Despite being perceived as an ‘overthinker,’ Ashwin clarified that he doesn’t impose his methods on others or undermine their abilities. He believes that assumptions about his leadership capabilities based on this label are unfair.
“It’s not like I change my action and tomorrow if I am leading a side, I would go to Jadeja and tell him that he should change his action. I’m not that dumb. In a way, people just assumed that that’s how it could be. They just thought he would not fit the bill as a leader and that’s quite an unfair assessment,” Ashwin added.