The Cricket Control Council in India (BCCI) congratulated Ravichandran Ashwin after the veteran spinner was honored by the prestigious Padma Shri Prize, the highest fourth civilian Honor of President Droupadi Murmu, as part of the Padma winners list in 2025. The announcement, made on January 25, considers Ashwin as to be recognized this year, highlighting his immense contribution to sport.
“Congratulations to @ ashwinravi99 for having been awarded the prestigious Padma Shri prize by the Honorable President of India @rashtrapatibhvn, honoring his remarkable achievements and an illustrious career with Tea, India”, posted BCCI on X
Ashwin’s career has been a journey of consistency, shine and winning performance, especially in the longest format of the game. Known for its lively cricket spirit, Ashwin was a force with which it is necessary to count in the test cricket, both with the ball and the bat. He retired from the international cricket during the Border-Gavaskar 2024-24 tropht at the end of the third test in Brisbane, which ended with a draw because of the rain, dropping the curtain on a decorated career which lasted more than a decade.
Ashwin’s decision to retire was a surprise for many. His latest appearance occurred during the India’s home series against New Zealand in 2024, a series in which Ashwin did not have a significant impact, marking one of his rare failures on the soil at home. Before that, his omission of the Indian team for the Perth test in the Border-Gavaskar 2024 trophy left fans and the criticisms to question his future in the team.
Ashwin played in the Adelaide test, but his involvement in the match was limited, leading to his possible decision to move away from international cricket.
Despite the somewhat disappointing end of his career, Ashwin’s figures bear witness to his greatness. With 537 test counters at an average of 24.00, it is the second largest flashed in India in the format, behind only Anil Kumble.
His ability to collect counters in all conditions, especially in tours abroad, has made him one of the most precious questions in the range of tests in India. In addition to its impressive bowling record, Ashwin also contributed significantly with the bat, marking 3503 points in the test cricket, including six centuries and 14 half-centuries.
Ashwin’s intelligence and versatility of cricket, as well as its winning contributions, played an essential role in the success of India in test cricket. In particular, India remained undefeated in the series of home tests from 2012 to 2024, a sequence which was only broken by New Zealand. However, Ashwin’s consistency and leadership in the spin department were at the heart of the domination of the team in the country and abroad.
The IPL trip of Ashwin completed the loop by returning to its first franchise, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the mega auction IPL 2025 held in Djeddah, in Saudi Arabia. CSK obtained Ashwin’s services for Rs 9.75 crore, bringing a player who had been an integral part of his success from 2009 to 2015.
Over the years, Ashwin has represented several teams – including the Rising Pune Supergiant, the Punjab Kings (where he was also captain), Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals.
(With the exception of the title, this story has not been published by NDTV staff and is published from a unionized flow.)
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