Ravichandran Ashwin reflected on his decision to seek counseling after contemplating quitting cricket in 2017, shedding light on the profound impact of constant scrutiny and performance pressure.

Ravichandran Ashwin recently shared his journey of seeking counseling when he contemplated leaving cricket in 2017, highlighting the immense mental toll of constant scrutiny and performance pressure in the cut-throat world of professional cricket. Speaking with The Indian Express, Ashwin, who recently achieved the milestone of 500 Test wickets, underscored the various challenges players face and the importance of addressing mental health struggles.

“There are layers of mental health. Some people can succumb to pressure. Some are on the road all the time and can get jaded. Sometimes you are in a very dark place in your life that you want to talk to someone, and I think more often than not, people find themselves in the situation of a victim. Which is a very dangerous situation in my book,” Ashwin said.

Ashwin also touched upon the limited avenues for expressing concerns within the cricketing fraternity, noting the prevalence of corporate dynamics and politics.

“Even though I have my family rooting for me and I can come back to my family, I cannot say a lot of things. I would say cricket, in many ways, is a corporate affair with a little bit of governmental organisational activities and attributes. Though If I come and talk with my dad about corporate stuff, he has only one line to say: It’s all politics. And that’s a very large line. And even fans end up doing the same thing. Occasionally, when I find myself in a dark spot, I have also done that a little. But it’s a very wrong thing to do because you feel somebody’s success is coming very easily. It’s not,” he added.

Ashwin further candidly shared his struggle with balancing cricket and family life, admitting to neglecting quality time with his young family due to the demands of his career. Recounting a family conversation where his father’s blunt remark left him emotionally shaken, he revealed the toll it took on him, leading to moments of isolation and introspection.

“My wife is a wonderful listener, but she had a very young family and I was not giving her enough time. One fine day, we were having a conversation. My dad said something. And some internal affair of the house had broken down. And I said something to my dad. My dad and I fight a lot. And he eventually threw a statement “You know what? You are too upright and honest. That’s why you are getting screwed.” He made that statement and left. I would like to think I am pretty strong but I just locked myself away. And then I started weeping. I was crying for a long time. I didn’t expect my dad to say that. I don’t think he even realized what he did,” Ashwin said.

“I thought I am putting people in my house through a lot. I used to lock myself in the room. I never watched cricket. My room used to be dark all the time,” he added.

Feeling overwhelmed and considering leaving cricket altogether, Ashwin sought comfort in seeking external guidance to gain clarity and perspective. Exploring various career options, including pursuing an MBA and venturing into marketing, he realized the need for a deeper understanding of his life’s direction. Through counseling, Ashwin reflected on how he found renewed clarity and a fresh outlook on his professional and personal journey, ultimately leading him to continue his cricketing career with a newfound sense of purpose and balance.

1
FUN88

FUN88

100% Bonus up to ₹20,000
  • UPI / Netbanking
  • Cricket Betting
  • Great Promotions
2
1XBET

1XBET

100% Bonus on the 1st deposit up to ₹8,000
  • Weekly sports bonus
  • Cash races
  • Bitcoin bonuses
3
MegaPari

MegaPari

INR 20,000 in Bonus
  • Generous Bonus & Promotions
  • Secure Payment Methods
  • Live Betting
4
4RABET

4RABET

700% UP TO 90,000₹
  • Live Betting
  • Cricket Betting
  • Live Casino
5
Dafabet

Dafabet

160% up to ₹30,000 on First deposit to Sports Betting!
  • Maximum Cricket Cashback 10%
  • India Super League Cashback
  • Common wallet 100% deposit bonus up to ₹8,000 !

Last Updated on March 18, 2024

Senior Sports Copywriter