Ashwin shares his initial anger over Manjrekar's criticism, later referring to him as a 'guru.'

Ravichandran Ashwin has recently shared insights into the challenges he faced during the early stages of his international cricket career, particularly highlighting a critical article by former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar that left a lasting impact on him. This reflection comes in the wake of Ashwin's struggles during the 2011-12 tour of Australia, where he managed to secure only nine wickets across three Test matches, resulting in a disappointing series defeat for India, who lost 0-4.

In a candid discussion on Jio Hotstar, Ashwin recounted his emotional response to Manjrekar's assessment, which he described as both hurtful and anger-inducing. "After my first tour to Australia, 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," Ashwin revealed. He noted that while his initial reaction was one of anger, he chose to reflect on the criticism during his flight home, ultimately deciding to let it go.

Instead of allowing the negative feedback to deter him, Ashwin utilized it as a catalyst for improvement. He dedicated himself to enhancing his bowling skills and overall fitness over the subsequent 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 explained. This transformation not only improved his game but also changed his perspective on criticism.

Eventually, Ashwin reached out to Manjrekar, expressing how the initial criticism had affected him. "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," he shared. This experience taught him to view criticism as an opportunity for growth, allowing him to learn and adapt from feedback.

Over the years, Ashwin has solidified his status as one of India's premier cricketers, amassing an impressive record of 765 wickets and 4,394 runs in 287 international matches. He concluded his illustrious career on December 18, 2024, standing as India's second-highest wicket-taker in international cricket, trailing only behind Anil Kumble.