When R Ashwin Was Kidnapped: A Hilarious Tale from Tennis-Ball Cricket Days

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Opponents devising plans to counter India's ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is no surprise. But during his teenage tennis-ball cricket days, the plans were anything but subtle-they involved kidnapping!

In an interview with Cricbuzz, Ashwin recounted this bizarre incident that highlights the intense competitive culture of local cricket in Chennai. As a 14 or 15-year-old, Ashwin was set to play a tennis-ball tournament final.

When he stepped out to leave for the match, four to five muscular men arrived on a Royal Enfield motorcycle. Initially, Ashwin mistook them for a friendly pickup service arranged by his team. "They just picked me up and said, 'We gotta go,'" he shared, recalling his surprise.

A "Posh" Abduction

Ashwin was taken to a tea shop, a cultural hotspot near cricket grounds in Chennai. "They ordered bhajjis and vadas, telling me, 'Don't be afraid, we are here to help you,'" Ashwin chuckled, recounting how the situation initially seemed harmless.

However, the tone changed when the men revealed their real intent. They were from the opposing team and had no intention of letting him play. "They said, 'If you go and play, we'll make sure your fingers are not there,'" Ashwin revealed.

Though shocked, the future cricket star managed to stay calm. The ordeal wasn't entirely unpleasant, as the rivals treated Ashwin to snacks. Eventually, he convinced them to drop him home, promising not to play.

"I said, 'My father will be back from office. I got to go home. I promise you, I won't play,'" Ashwin recounted with a grin. This humorous yet shocking story offers a peek into the gritty and colorful world of tennis-ball cricket in Chennai.

While it's unimaginable for an international cricket star to face such situations today, this incident is a testament to the passion and intensity of local cricket - and a hilarious memory in Ashwin's journey to becoming one of India's greatest spinners.