Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has subtly opened up about the emotional constraints he has long felt within the Indian cricket system, especially when it comes to expressing disappointment over selection decisions. His remarks came after Nathan Lyon’s candid interview during the second Ashes Test, where the Australian off-spinner openly admitted he felt “filthy” about being dropped for the pink-ball Test in Brisbane.
Ravichandran Ashwin, reacting to Lyon’s raw honesty, hinted that Indian players do not enjoy the same liberty to voice their emotions without fear of repercussions. When sports journalist Vimal Kumar asked Ashwin what he felt after watching Lyon’s fiery interview, the Indian great paused—a telling moment—before sharing a perspective many players feel but rarely admit publicly. Ashwin said Lyon was “lucky” to have a platform where he could openly express frustration, something Ashwin believes would backfire for an Indian cricketer.
“Nathan Lyon is lucky. Anyone who gets dropped feels exactly the way he expressed it. He had the freedom to speak, and the Australian team won’t hold it against him. He’ll still play the Adelaide Test, and I’m happy for him,” Ravichandran Ashwin said. His tone reflected admiration for Lyon, but also a quiet resignation about the reality he himself navigated for years.
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Ashwin further explained that while every cricketer carries emotions, expressing them in India could lead to reputational damage. “I cannot express my emotions. If I do, I will lose out, and only I will be harmed. People will stamp you with a character trait. That’s why I don’t do it. But I respect Lyon for letting it out.”
For over 100 episodes with Ash Ki Baat, for the first time Isaw Ashwin going silent. https://t.co/D9HSDlmbB3 pic.twitter.com/0Lx8VYsoSN
— Vimal कुमार (@Vimalwa) December 9, 2025
Lyon’s interview became a flashpoint on social media, as fans were stunned by the rare vulnerability from a senior Australian player. Yet Ashwin used that moment to highlight a deeper cultural divide between Indian and Australian cricket. In Australia, he said, players are encouraged to speak their minds without worrying about consequences. In India, however, even though players can express opinions, the “collateral damage” that follows often discourages them.
Ashwin acknowledged that he hopes this mindset will change over time. His words carry weight, especially given the circumstances surrounding his own sudden retirement from Test cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy last year. After being benched for the Perth Test and dropped again in Brisbane following a brief return, Ashwin chose to walk away mid-series, announcing it alongside captain Rohit Sharma in a restrained, guarded press conference.
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The abruptness of his decision surprised many, including his own family. In a Chennai TV interview, Ashwin’s father alleged that the spinner had endured “humiliation,” though Ashwin later softened those comments, saying his father wasn’t media-trained. Still, Ashwin later admitted to Rahul Dravid that the constant bench time on overseas tours had begun to take a toll, prompting him to prioritise his young family.
Ashwin eventually stepped away from the IPL as well after the 2025 season, closing a storied chapter that included his final stint with Chennai Super Kings. Though he initially signed up for the Big Bash League with Sydney Thunder for 2025–26, he withdrew due to a knee injury—another sign that the veteran, after years of emotional restraint and professional pressure, had finally chosen peace over constant scrutiny.
