Recently retired Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin criticized the prevailing superstar culture in Indian cricket ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy. He urged fans to see cricketers as relatable individuals rather than idolizing them as larger-than-life figures.
India has a long history of producing cricketers with immense fan followings due to their exceptional performances on the field, leading to packed stadiums during matches. Discussing this superstar culture on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin remarked [via MSN]:
“It is important to normalize things in Indian cricket. We must not encourage this superstardom and super celebrities within the Indian cricket team. 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.”
He further added:
“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 Aims for a historic third Champions Trophy title
India enters the 2025 Champions Trophy as one of the top contenders, with the tournament set to take place in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19. The Men in Blue have reached the final in the last two editions, securing the title in 2013.
India and Australia are the only two teams to have won the Champions Trophy multiple times, with India’s victories coming in 2002 and 2013. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India will compete in Group A alongside Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, with the top two teams advancing to the semi-finals.
All of India’s matches will be played in Dubai, while other teams will play across three venues in Pakistan—Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. The 2013 champions will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.
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