In today’s cricket world, the game is no longer limited to the field, it’s playing out just as fiercely on social media. And according to Ravichandran Ashwin, not everything fans see online is as organic as it seems.
The veteran spinner recently spoke about a growing trend where strong opinions shared by “fan armies” may not always come from fans alone. He hinted that some of these views might actually originate from people within the cricketing circle, calling the situation worrying and comparing it to a spreading problem in the sport.
Ashwin’s comments add to a larger debate already touched upon by legends like Sunil Gavaskar and current India head coach Gautam Gambhir, both of whom have criticised the rise of “superstar culture” in Indian cricket.
Explaining his thoughts in a simple way, Ashwin suggested that many narratives online don’t just appear randomly. Sometimes, similar ideas are discussed privately and later show up on social media through different accounts. While he stopped short of directly accusing players, he admitted it raises questions about whether there is some level of coordination behind the scenes.
At the same time, he understands that modern cricketers are more than just athletes, they are brands. Promoting oneself and building a public image is part of the game today. But Ashwin made it clear that this should never come at the cost of putting down another player. He believes this growing trend has shifted attention away from what really matters, the sport itself.
Sharing a personal example, Ashwin spoke about analysing the dismissals of India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill. His intention was purely technical, to explain what went wrong and why. However, the reaction online quickly turned negative, with people assuming he was targeting a specific player instead of discussing cricket.
For Ashwin, that reaction highlights the bigger issue. Conversations are no longer about skills, strategy or improvement, they often become about individuals, comparisons and fan-driven narratives. In his view, cricket has slowly been turned into something like a movie where players are treated as larger-than-life heroes. And in that process, the real essence of the game is getting lost.
His message is simple – it’s fine to celebrate players but the focus should return to cricket itself, not the noise around it.
