'We are cricketers, not actors or superstars': R Ashwin slams celebrity culture in Indian cricket

Indian spin legend R Ashwin has called for an end to treating cricketers as demigods, advocating for a more grounded approach in the sport. He emphasised the importance of players remaining relatable to common people while criticising the superstar culture within the team.

Ashwin, who has claimed 765 international wickets across formats, believes that achievements by players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should be viewed as routine occurrences given their established careers.

"It is important to normalise things in Indian cricket. We must not encourage this superstardom and super celebrities within the Indian cricket team," Ashwin said on his Hindi YouTube channel, 'Ash Ki Baat'.

"We must normalise all these things going forward. We are cricketers. We are not actors or superstars. We are sportspersons, and we must be someone that the common people should resonate with, and can compare themselves with."

Team India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed similar views against the superstar culture. Gambhir, who has played alongside cricket legends, is committed to shifting focus from individual achievements to team efforts.

"For example if you are a Rohit Sharma or a Virat Kohli, who have achieved so much. When you hit one more century, it is not just about your achievement anymore. It should be the business as usual, and our goals should be bigger than these achievements."

Ashwin stressed that individual milestones should not overshadow the team's pursuit of winning tournaments for India.

The veteran spinner also questioned the selection of five spinners for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

"Five spinners in Dubai? I don't know. I think we are one spinner too many if not two," he said.

"The two left-arm spinners are your best all-rounders alongside Hardik Pandya. So both Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja are going to play. Hardik will also play and Kuldeep will play."

"If you want Varun Chakravarthy in the team, then you will have to make a pacer sit out and use Hardik as your second pacer. Else you will have to drop a spinner to bring in a third seamer," Ashwin said.

The Tamil Nadu cricketer concluded his remarkable international career with 537 wickets in 106 Tests, 156 wickets in 116 ODIs, and 72 wickets in 65 T20Is. His retirement came unexpectedly after the drawn third Test against Australia in Brisbane.

The selectors have included Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Varun Chakravarthy in the final squad for the tournament beginning February 19.