Virat Kohli and Ravi Ashwin (Getty Images) Ravichandran Ashwin and Virat Kohli share a cricketing journey spanning more than a decade. Both entered Test cricket in 2011 and in the years that followed, Ashwin became Kohli’s first-class spinner for a significant phase of India’s red-ball success. Under Kohli’s captaincy, Ashwin reached new heights and eventually became India’s second highest wicket-taker in Tests. Their time together produced some defining moments for Indian cricket. A historic Test series win in Australia in 2018, sustained dominance at home where Ashwin has not played often, five consecutive years at the top of the ICC Test rankings and a place in the World Test Championship final all form part of their shared legacy.
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Interestingly, both announced their retirements within months of each other. During their playing days, there were frequent reports suggesting differences in outlook, particularly regarding Ashwin’s selection in overseas Tests under Kohli. Yet those stories were softened by scenes from Ashwin’s final days with the team, when he shared a warm embrace with Kohli before confirming his international retirement. Ashwin has also been a regular target of online trolling. Responding to a social media post that accused him of taking an indirect swipe at Kohli, the veteran spinner clarified that he had spoken directly to the former skipper. On X, Ashwin wrote: “I was just talking to Virat about the indirect attack concerns and we both had a good laugh about how social media works on such clickbait fan wars. Thanks for giving us a reason to connect and chat.”
R post by Ashwin
Fan-driven rivalries continue to dominate online cricket discourse. Fans often clash over their favorite players, with the most intense battles involving fans of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Similar differences have existed for years between followers of Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar, and between Kohli and MS Dhoni, highlighting how players’ loyalties often fuel endless debates in the digital space.
