Celebrating Ashwin: Leadership and Love, Ravichandran Ashwin Defines it Beautifully

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One piece to explain Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement is not enough for any sports writer. Almost a day after Ash dropped a bombshell at the Gabba in Brisbane during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series and said he was done with playing for India, there were more questions then answers in the mind.

At the end of it, a few things stand out, how Ash was selfless, he did not crave for captaincy and he speaks of love. Breaking it down, Ash explained recently, leadership is not a title.

He has said this in a video interview with someone he is close to in Hindi, notably. Why Hindi? Ashwin learnt long ago, to be part of national camps from junior days in cricket and play all over the country, Hindi was/is necessary.

Even Sunny Gavaskar has been working on his Hindi in his 70s, so Ashwin was quick on it. It has helped Ashwin articulate so well. Again, to say leadership is not a title means a lot.

There have been so many stories written on the Tam Bram not having been considered for a captaincy role for India. Ashwin has explained it very straight, speaking about three captains he has played under: MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

It is very clear, as Ashwin has closed out one big chapter, he holds nothing against anyone or the captains he has played under. If he missed captaincy, he has mentioned one can still be a leader without any formal title. It explains him as a student as well as a leader.

That he continues to still try different things with the ball, which, henceforth shall only be white in colour, he is ready for it. Ashwin is almost emphatic, he is ready to teach, without being a teacher. One has to walk up to him or engage in a conversation with him. Or, just watch him.

There are various styles of leadership, there is no fixed formula. And one can still lead from the front without being given an official designation. That is a lesson one has to learn from Ashwin. It is well known, in South India, notably Tamil Nadu, Hindi is hated.

The politicians have added more fuel to fire, even though in schools in Chennai or other cities in TN, Hindi as an optional language is very much available at middle school level. Ashwin learnt Hindi without any malice and today can speak it without inhibition.

He articulates well, is a keen observer and knows that if a message has to be conveyed, English, Tamil (mother tongue) and Hindi, all are important. There is enough to learn from Ashwin, who is not stuck-up on language. If communication be an art and leadership be a motivational thing, Ashwin has already done so much. More will follow.

Was his decision to retire sudden? No, not at all. He wants to be a team man, each day, even if it is in club cricket in Chennai or any other league. The message is, he wants to be in the middle, not cooling his backside in the dressing room. That one decision explains Ashwin the fierce competitor.

Will he not be a part of the leadership team in CSK with MS Dhoni, even though the official captain is Ruturaj Gaikwad? Yes, he will, as that's Ashwin's leadership skill, be a part of it and take the lead. Indian cricket will become poor with his absence but so many more will learn just by watching and playing alongside Ashwin in the IPL.

On Wednesday, Ashwin posted a lovely video on his X handle. The theme song is in Tamil: "Urave yen aaasai urave..." The literal meaning is: "The love we give away is the only love we keep."

The video captures his collection of teammates and moments on the field and dressing room. In the end, the video shows his wife Prithi Narayanan, initially his childhood friend from West Mambalam in Chennai, where he grew up, playing tennis ball cricket.

The other two young girls are his daughters, the love of his life, which is the summation of a happy family. Why cry, let Ashwin be with those who need him much more than we do. He will be back, he says. So, wait for the IPL 2025.