Ravichandran Ashwin, besides being one of India’s most astute cricketers, has also carved a niche for himself off the field through his YouTube channel, which has grown into a respected space for in-depth cricket conversations. His candid analysis and sharp cricketing insights, especially around high-profile matches, have earned him a substantial following.
However, the channel recently found itself in the midst of controversy, particularly among Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans—who took exception to some of the content aired during the ongoing IPL season. The spark came from a post-match discussion following CSK’s third consecutive home defeat at the hands of Delhi Capitals at Chepauk.
Regular panelist Prasanna Agoram, a seasoned analyst who has worked with teams like South Africa and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, questioned the team’s selection strategy. He expressed his surprise over Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad’s inclusion in the playing XI, especially when seasoned campaigners like Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were available.
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Though Ravichandran Ashwin himself wasn’t part of CSK’s squad this season, the affiliation between the channel and the franchise led to backlash from die-hard CSK supporters. In response to the escalating criticism, Ashwin’s channel issued a public statement clarifying their position. The note, shared by the channel’s admin, stated that the team would refrain from covering CSK matches—both previews and reviews—for the remainder of the season.
Ashwin just dropped a press note on his YouTube channel! pic.twitter.com/hZ69NaQ7Kr
— Cricket Winner (@cricketwinner_) April 7, 2025
The clarification emphasized that the views expressed by guests do not reflect Ashwin’s personal stance. “We are mindful of how things can be interpreted and have chosen to step away from covering CSK games… The views expressed by our guests do not reflect Ashwin’s personal opinions,” the statement read.
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The issue even made its way into the CSK camp when head coach Stephen Fleming was asked if the comments had led to any tension within the team. Fleming, however, was quick to downplay the matter, saying, “I have no idea. I didn’t even know he [Ashwin] had a channel. That’s irrelevant.”
While the controversy has raised questions about the fine line between personal platforms and public perception in modern cricket, Ashwin’s channel continues to stand by its commitment to open, respectful dialogue—even if that means stepping back when required.
