Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s greatest cricketing minds, added another feather to his illustrious cap as he was conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri award by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, April 28. The veteran off-spinner received the honor in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Indian cricket, particularly his heroics in the longer format.
Ashwin, who recently retired from international cricket midway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, bows out as one of the game’s modern greats. With 537 Test wickets in 106 matches, he stands second only to the legendary Anil Kumble (619 wickets) on India’s all-time wicket-takers list. His remarkable ability to turn games single-handedly, especially on home soil, made him an indispensable force for more than a decade.
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Beyond his bowling prowess, Ashwin proved his mettle with the bat too, amassing over 3000 Test runs at an average close to 25, including six centuries and 14 half-centuries. Time and again, he rescued India from tricky situations, showcasing his resilience and cricketing intellect.
#WATCH | Cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin receives Padma Shri award from President Droupadi Murmu for his contribution to the field of Sports.
(Video Source: President of India/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/n34QeaZz3y
— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2025
From 2013 to 2024, Ravichandran Ashwin was a cornerstone of India’s dominance in home Test series, ensuring that the team went undefeated on home turf for over a decade. His contributions in white-ball cricket were equally significant—he was a vital part of India’s victorious 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy campaigns.
Receiving the Padma Shri is a fitting tribute to Ashwin’s stellar career. A video of him accepting the award has been widely shared, celebrating his journey and impact on Indian cricket.
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Currently, Ashwin is plying his trade for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025, though the season hasn’t been smooth for the seasoned campaigner. After starting in the XI, he was dropped midway, having managed only five wickets from seven games while struggling with economy. CSK too find themselves languishing in the bottom half of the table with just two wins from nine matches. Whether Ashwin will make a comeback into the playing XI remains to be seen, but his legacy in Indian cricket is firmly cemented, regardless of his IPL form.
