Ashwin Defends Gambhir, Criticizes Social Media in Cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin, the retired Indian cricketer and former spin bowling spearhead, has defended head coach Gautam Gambhir against accusations of forcing senior players out while criticizing the growing influence of social media narratives that prioritize individual stardom over the sport itself. Speaking at the RevSportz Conclave in Kolkata, Ashwin reflected on his own retirement from international cricket last year and the broader challenges facing India's Test team during a period of transition.

Ashwin announced his retirement midway through the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, after playing in just one of the initial Tests. He scored 22 and 7 with the bat and claimed one wicket in the second match, a pink-ball day-night fixture in Brisbane. The 39-year-old offspinner had realized his international career was winding down during the opening Test in Perth, where younger bowlers like Washington Sundar were preferred despite Ashwin's seniority alongside Ravindra Jadeja. "The moment when we had Jaddu and myself as the lead spinners, and Washy played that game in Perth, and then the next game I came in and had to make way again, was indicative to me that...