Boy who evolved as a match-winner

BACK then, few would have imagined a young boy from West Mambalam, Chennai, who enjoyed playing tennis ball cricket with his father Ravichandran, would one day go on to play for his state and then take 537 wickets for India in Tests.

- ASHOK VENUGOPAL @Chennai

His evolution as a great cricketer in itself is a remarkable story. While studying at Padma Seshadri School, R Ashwin started to play age-group cricket. Both father and son played in the lower division league of the TNCA for Egmore Excelsior. Ashwin's steady performances in the age group cricket and in the TNCA First Division league opened the doors for him to play Ranji Trophy for the state.

Ashwin began his career as a batter but due to injury concerns he concentrated a lot more on his bowling. A good performance in the TNCA league earned him a contract with Chennai Super Kings. For sometime he had to warm up the bench since the team had Muttiah Muralitharan.