IPL not a villain, provides a better lifestyle: Ashwin
MUMBAI : Ravichandran Ashwin has rejected the notion of Indian Premier League (IPL) being a ‘villain’ to Indian cricket, saying that it plays the role of a ‘motivator’. Ashwin, whose long association with two-time title winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ended recently with the cricketer being taken by Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), says the tournament provides a better lifestyle to cricketers.
Ashwin was quoted as saying by the Gulf News, “People tend to brand IPL as some sort of a villain to Indian cricket in a lot of ways. It depends how a cricketer address IPL. Any sort of monetary gain that IPL provides is a motivation to move ahead.”
“It is a massive move by the BCCI to do a tournament like this because it definitely gives a better lifestyle for the cricketer in terms of money. I am sure nothing brings confidence more than money brings to you,” he added.
Pointing out that the upbringing of a child plays a critical role in how he perceives the world, Ashwin said. “Upbringing of a kid matters a lot. How much it means to him to don those Indian colours and go out there and play and excel as a cricketer plays a big role. I have always looked at excellence, try and get better and win a game. When that is the motive I think money just becomes a by-product.”
ON CHILDHOOD
Ashwin recalled his childhood days and said improvement on a day-to-day basis can help a cricketer go a long way. “During my school days my father used to take me in a bike to play matches. After every successful day I used to ask my father on what’s next for me and my father used to say that I will play under-14 and play different age categories and reach the state team to play Ranji Trophy and then the Indian team,” Ashwin recalled.
“It used to be very tiresome to hear that because it seemed like a very long road ahead but nobody emphasised the fact that improving on a day-to-day basis was everything and I understood this only by the age of 20,” he said.