New Delhi: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has raised concerns about the growing influence of social media narratives and fan driven campaigns in modern cricket, describing the trend as a troubling “disease” affecting the sport’s discourse.
Speaking at a public event organised by RevSportz, Ashwin questioned how certain opinions about players frequently surface online through fan groups and social media accounts. He said he has often heard similar viewpoints in private conversations before seeing them appear on the internet under different names, prompting doubts about how such narratives spread.
Ashwin suggested that while he was not directly accusing players of promoting these narratives, the situation raises questions about whether organised efforts exist to shape public perception. According to him, the growing commercialisation of cricket means many players now operate like entrepreneurs, where online narratives and publicity can influence brand value and public relations.
He said promoting one’s image is understandable in the modern era, but criticised the tendency to target fellow cricketers in the process. Ashwin stressed that he would never speak negatively about another player in order to build his own reputation.
The veteran off spinner also expressed concern about the increasing focus on star power in Indian cricket, arguing that discussions around the sport have shifted away from technical analysis and the game itself. He said a “superhero” style culture has developed around players, making cricket conversations more about personalities than performance.
Ashwin pointed to a recent example when he shared a social media thread analysing the dismissals of Shubman Gill. He said his intention was to explain the technical reasons behind the pattern of dismissals, focusing on the “what” and the “why.” However, the discussion quickly turned into comparisons with other players, which he said missed the purpose of the analysis.
Ashwin retired from international cricket in December 2024 during India’s Test series in Australia. He finished his career with 537 wickets in 106 Tests, making him India’s second highest wicket taker in the format behind Anil Kumble.
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