Did BCCI Honor Ravichandran Ashwin with the Padma Shri Award?

New Delhi, April 28 (NationPress) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has conveyed its heartfelt congratulations to Ravichandran Ashwin after the esteemed spinner was awarded the Padma Shri, which is India's fourth-highest civilian honor, by President Droupadi Murmu. This recognition was part of the 2025 Padma awardees list.

Announced on January 25, Ashwin stands out as the solitary cricketer to receive this accolade this year, emphasizing his significant impact on the sport.

BCCI expressed on X, "Kudos to @ashwinravi99 for being honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award by the Hon'ble President of India @rashtrapatibhvn, celebrating his extraordinary achievements and a remarkable career with Team India."

Ashwin's journey has been marked by unwavering consistency, brilliance, and match-winning performances, especially in Test cricket. Renowned for his sharp cricketing intellect, Ashwin has consistently proven to be an influential player in the longest format of the game, both with bat and ball. He concluded his international career during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-24, at the end of the third Test in Brisbane, which was halted by rain, marking the end of an illustrious career spanning over a decade.

His retirement announcement came as a surprise to many. His final appearance was during India's home series against New Zealand in 2024, where he encountered one of his rare failures on home soil. Prior to this, his exclusion from the squad for the Perth Test in the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy raised questions about his future with the team.

Although Ashwin participated in the Adelaide Test, his contribution was limited, leading to his decision to retire from international cricket.

Even with a somewhat subdued finale, Ashwin's statistics speak volumes of his greatness. With a tally of 537 Test wickets at an average of 24.00, he ranks as India's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, trailing only Anil Kumble.

His ability to secure wickets across various conditions, particularly during overseas tours, has solidified his status as one of the most valuable bowlers in India's Test lineup. Beyond his impressive bowling feats, Ashwin has also significantly contributed with the bat, accumulating 3503 runs in Test matches, including six centuries and 14 half-centuries.

His cricketing acumen and adaptability, alongside his pivotal contributions, were crucial to India's achievements in Test cricket. Notably, India remained unbeaten in home Test series from 2012 to 2024, a streak interrupted solely by New Zealand. However, Ashwin's reliability and leadership in the spin department played a vital role in the team's prowess both at home and abroad.

In the realm of the IPL, Ashwin's journey has come full circle as he returns to his original franchise, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), following the IPL 2025 Mega Auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. CSK acquired Ashwin for Rs 9.75 crore, welcoming back a player who has been integral to their success from 2009 to 2015.

Throughout his career, Ashwin has represented multiple teams, including the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings (where he also captained), Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals.