Veteran spinner R. Ashwin recently addressed a growing concern in Indian cricket: the rising influence of celebrity culture among players. In his latest Hindi YouTube video, Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin emphasized that cricketers should be seen as athletes, not as movie stars or larger-than-life figures. He voiced his concern over how some players are now being treated like celebrities, stating that this trend is unhealthy for the sport’s integrity and focus.
Ashwin quoted, “It is important to normalize things in Indian cricket. We must not encourage this superstardom and super celebrities within the Indian cricket team.”
He believes this fan-made image of cricketers being superhumans makes it hard for young players and fans to stay grounded or realistic. Ashwin also said that while legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma deserve respect for their achievements, fans and media should stop treating every milestone like a festival.
Ashwin says, “We are sportspeople, and we must be someone that the common people should resonate with and can compare themselves with.”
The experienced off-spinner highlighted the importance of team accomplishments over personal success, citing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of India’s premier batsmen.
Ashwin also stated, “For example, if you are a Rohit Sharma or a Virat Kohli, who has achieved so much. When you hit one more century, it is not just about your achievement anymore. It should be business as usual, and our goals should be bigger than these achievements.”
The candid insight from Ashwin has opened a vigorous discussion in Indian cricket. This is as more young cricketers continue to surface and with the perennial prying eyes of the public. Ashwin thinks it is all the more necessary to keep things in perspective and remind the athlete at the end of the day that he is, after all, an athlete, not a performer.
