Ravichandran Ashwin has opened up about the criticism he faced early in his international career, recalling how a strongly worded assessment from former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar left him angry and hurt after a difficult tour of Australia. Ashwin’s struggles came during India’s 2011-12 tour of Australia, where he managed only nine wickets in three Tests at an average of 62. India suffered a 0-4 series defeat. Reflecting on the experience, Ashwin said Manjrekar’s column initially left him deeply disappointed. "After my first Australia tour, Sanjay Manjrekar wrote a long article. When I was returning, I read the whole thing, and after reading it, I got really angry. I actually felt bad. Anger was just a reaction, but I felt really bad. But after that, I slept on the flight and let it go. Back then, I didn't talk to Sanjay much," Ashwin said on Jio Hotstar.
Ashwin used criticism as motivation Rather than allowing the criticism to affect him, Ashwin eventually chose to look at Manjrekar’s comments objectively and identify areas where he could improve. The off-spinner said he worked extensively on his bowling and fitness over the next few years. "...after coming back home, I worked really hard for the next four years. I wasn't a gifted athlete. I worked very hard, and in 2015, he wrote another article saying that I was bowling so well now and that he wanted me to keep performing like that, " Ashwin added.
Ashwin later contacted Manjrekar Ashwin eventually got Manjrekar’s number and sent him a message explaining how he had initially felt about the criticism. "Then I asked for his number and messaged him that I had felt bad back then, but his article came to me like a guru and changed my life. Because there was substance in what he said. So, if I ever get criticised, I just think about whether there's something to learn from it. If I feel there's something to learn, I take it, " he concluded.
A legendary career Ashwin went on to establish himself as one of India’s greatest match-winners, finishing his international career with 765 wickets and 4,394 runs across 287 matches. He retired from international cricket on December 18, 2024, and finished as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in international cricket, behind Anil Kumble.