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Ravichandran Ashwin, the former Indian cricket star, was celebrated as one of the 25 'Greatest Men's International Cricketers of the 21st Century' during the Cricinfo Honours Awards 2026. At the ceremony, he shared insights on the progression of Test cricket and the criteria for player selection in this format.

Ashwin expressed, "While I don't want to set rigid rules, I believe Test cricketers should earn their positions based on their performance in first-class cricket." He noted that although playing across all formats is thrilling, many first-class players aspire to represent India in Tests. However, due to the intense competition and depth of talent in Indian cricket, some deserving players miss out on Test opportunities. He questioned how to motivate players to commit 15 to 20 years to first-class cricket, considering the lifestyle sacrifices and financial challenges involved.

"Test cricket must evolve to stay relevant. As a devoted fan of the format, I feel it is at a critical juncture, and urgent changes are necessary," he added. At the event, Ashwin was ranked 25th among the greatest men's international cricketers of the 21st century.

Ashwin also discussed how bowlers are adjusting to the evolving playing styles of contemporary batters. He remarked, "Bowlers today face unprecedented adaptation challenges. Test cricket has transformed, with changes in pitches and conditions, while T20 cricket, driven by its economic model, is likely to remain a high-scoring format. Consequently, bowlers must recognize that individual wicket-taking may need to be secondary, and they should work collectively as a unit."

"Cricket has historically been slow to adapt. I couldn't hit sixes initially, but I attended baseball camps and learned through continuous feedback. Now, both bowlers and batters must become problem-solvers, not just seasonally or game by game, but on a ball-by-ball basis. Embracing this mindset will elevate the execution levels of both batters and bowlers," he concluded.

Ashwin concluded his international cricket journey in December 2024, amassing 765 wickets across all formats, making him the second-highest wicket-taker for India, trailing only Anil Kumble (953). His record of 537 Test wickets also ranks second in India, again behind Kumble (619).

Notably, Ashwin is the only player in Test history to have scored more than five centuries (6) while also taking over 500 wickets. He is just behind Ian Botham (5) in achieving a Test century and a five-wicket haul in the same match, having accomplished this feat four times.