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Cricket teaches players how to handle pressure on the field, but sometimes the toughest battles happen away from the game. Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently shared one such personal story that many fans had never heard before. Speaking openly about his journey, Ashwin revealed that he hardly spoke to former India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar for almost four years after feeling deeply hurt by criticism about his game.
Today, Ashwin looks back at that phase with a completely different mindset. What once made him angry eventually became one of the biggest reasons behind his growth as a cricketer.
A Comment That Stayed with Him
Ravichandran Ashwin said the incident happened after one of India’s tours of Australia. During that period, Sanjay Manjrekar wrote an article discussing Ashwin’s performance and fitness. According to Ashwin, the article questioned whether he was athletic enough to succeed consistently at the highest level.
Like any professional athlete, Ashwin expected criticism whenever he didn’t perform well. But this particular article affected him differently. He admitted that reading those words made him feel disappointed because they targeted an area he was already trying hard to improve.
Instead of responding publicly or getting into an argument, Ashwin quietly carried those feelings with him.
“I Felt Really Bad”
Looking back, Ashwin admitted that he was genuinely upset.
He said he felt angry, hurt and disappointed after reading the article. Those emotions stayed with him for a long time. Even though he and Manjrekar met several times during cricket events and broadcasts over the next few years, Ashwin kept conversations to a minimum.
It wasn’t because he wanted a public fight. He simply wasn’t ready to move past the criticism.
Turning Anger into Motivation
After the initial Disappointment ravichandran Ashwin decided to use those comments in a positive way.
Instead of thinking about the criticism every day, he focused on improving himself. He worked harder on his fitness, spent more time in the gym, improved his fielding and made sure no one could question his athletic ability again.
Ravichandran Ashwin admitted that he was never naturally the fastest or most athletic player in the Indian team. Because of that, he knew he had to put in extra effort compared to many others.
Day after day, month after month, he kept working without making excuses.
Hard Work Started Showing Results
Over the next few seasons, fans began noticing a different version of Ashwin.
His bowling became even sharper, his fitness improved, and he looked much more confident on the field. He continued taking wickets in every format and established himself as one of the world’s best spin bowlers.
His performances helped India win several important Test matches, especially at home, where he became almost impossible for visiting teams to handle.
Many experts started praising not only his bowling but also the way he had transformed himself physically.
The Message That Changed Everything
A few years later, Sanjay Manjrekar wrote another article. This time, instead of criticizing Ashwin, he praised his performances and appreciated the improvements he had made.
That article changed Ashwin’s perspective.
Rather than holding on to old memories, he decided to contact Manjrekar. He asked for his phone number and sent him a heartfelt message.
Ashwin thanked him for being honest years earlier. He explained that although those comments had hurt him badly at the time, they also pushed him to become a better player.
It was a moment of maturity that surprised many fans.
Learning to Accept Criticism
Ashwin believes that every player receives criticism at some stage of their career. The important thing is how they respond.
Some players lose confidence after hearing negative opinions. Others become defensive and argue with critics. But Ashwin says the smarter approach is to take a step back, think calmly and see if there is something useful to learn.
According to him, criticism doesn’t always feel good, but sometimes it highlights weaknesses that players themselves need to work on.
One of India’s Greatest Cricketers
Looking at Ashwin’s career today, it’s easy to see how much he achieved.
He retired from international cricket after building an incredible record. He finished with hundreds of wickets across all three formats and became one of India’s most successful bowlers in Test cricket history.
Apart from his bowling, Ashwin also made valuable contributions with the bat, scoring several important centuries and rescuing India in difficult situations.
His ability to read batters, think ahead and constantly experiment made him one of the smartest cricketers of his generation.
Still Connected to the Game
Even after stepping away from international cricket, Ashwin hasn’t moved away from the sport.
He continues to play franchise cricket, appears as a cricket expert on television and digital platforms, and regularly shares his thoughts on the game. Young cricketers often look up to him for advice because of his experience and deep understanding of cricket.
His journey proves that learning never stops, no matter how successful a player becomes.
Fans Applaud Ravichandran Ashwin’s Honesty
After ravichandran Ashwin shared this story, cricket fans appreciated his honesty.
Many people praised him for admitting that criticism had affected him emotionally. At the same time, they admired the fact that he eventually thanked the very person whose words had once hurt him.
Fans also said Ashwin’s story is inspiring because it shows how setbacks can become opportunities if someone is willing to work hard and improve.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s story is about much more than cricket. It’s about handling criticism, controlling emotions and turning disappointment into determination.
Instead of letting one article define his career, Ashwin used it as motivation to become stronger, fitter and more successful. Years later, he was able to look back without anger and even express gratitude to Sanjay Manjrekar.
That mindset is what makes champions different. They don’t just celebrate success—they learn from criticism, grow through challenges and come back even better than before. Ashwin’s journey is a perfect example of how the toughest moments can often lead to the greatest achievements.
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