"My Father Goes Through Twice The Trauma I Do": Ravichandran Ashwin

One of the greats of the modern game, Ravichandran Ashwin has had quite a journey. From being central to India's plans across formats to becoming a specialist, before eventually returning to white-ball cricket, the off-spinner has had a roller-coaster of a ride. After Ashwin was snubbed for a spot in India's playing XI for the World Test Championship final against Australia, his absence became one of the biggest talking points on social media. The veteran cricketer, who has found himself in such positions on multiple occasions, opened up about the 'trauma' he and his family have gone through over the years and the 'overthinker' tag that has been given to him.

When it comes to overseas Tests, Ashwin isn't one of the first names on the teamsheets. In the WTC final against Australia, it was Ravindra Jadeja who was preferred by the Indian team for the sole spinner's spot. There's a perception that Ashwin tends to 'overthink' on certain occasions, a mindset that has worked against him multiple times.

In a chat with the Indian Express, Ashwin said that the tag of being an 'overthinker' was created to work against him.

"A lot of people marketed me and positioned me that I am an overthinker. A person who will get 15-20 matches on the go doesn't have to be mentally overthinking. A person who knows that they will get only two games will be traumatised and will be overthinking because it's my job. It's my journey. So this is what suits me," he said.

"If somebody is going to tell me, 'you're going to play 15 matches, you will be looked after, you will be this, you are responsible for players, you are in the leadership role, I won't be overthinking. Why would I?

It's unfair to actually say somebody's an overthinker because that