Ravichandran Ashwin awarded ICC Cricketer of the year 2016

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced ICC Awards for the year 2016. Indian allrounder Ravichandran Ashwin was named the ICC Test cricketer of the year and the ICC Cricketer of the year 2016 winning the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for his performances during the voting period.

He played 8 Test matches picked 48 wickets and scored 336 runs, got 4 wickets in 2 ODIs and 27 wickets from 19 T20I matches from September 14, 2015 to September 20, 2016. At present Ashwin is also the No.1 Ranked ICC Test bowler and all-rounder. The off-spinner has been instrumental in Team India’s dominating performance at home in the ongoing season and has been on a record-breaking spree.

On receiving the news he was absolutely humbled and thanked his family, ICC and teammates for their contribution. “It’s an absolute pleasure to be awarded with this great honour. There are a lot of people I would like to thank for this wonderful achievement. It’s been a great couple of years but this year has been even more special.” Ashwin told BCCI.tv.

“What is noticeable is the way I have bowled and batted and the way I have gone about doing my business. But what’s more important as far as I am concerned is the number of people who are behind my success. First I would like to thank my family, my wife and special mention to my daughter. It’s been a great ride for the entire family.”

“I would also like to thank ICC and most importantly my teammates; we have had a great transition ever since Mahendra Sing Dhoni hung his boots in Australia. We have had a transition a young captain has taken over and we actually fell on the right track and we have a great bunch of boys now. I would also like to dedicate it to the entire team and the support staff, all the skill coaches Sanjay Bangar, Sridhar and Anil Kumble who has joined us and not to forget Ravi Shastri.” Ashwin said mentioning everyone who has been a part of this journey with him.

“It is a great feeling I never went after this particular award. I am extremely humbled. It feels great to follow the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in being named as the ICC Cricketer of the Year. To also win the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year makes it even better. Rahul and Sachin are two people who were instrumental in me pursuing my career in cricket. They really motivated me to take the sport up.”

He said that he wasn’t anticipating the award but it has come as a pleasant surprise. “This award is a complete surprise to me, I was not looking forward to it. I am really happy with what we have done as a team and I am optimistic about what lies ahead of us.”

What has been the difference or rather the reason behind his success in the last year? “My hunger and my preparation and also the fact that I try and stay really humble through my achievements because what’s important is once I get a five-wicket haul or make runs on a particular day I try and forget it that particular day. My maximum celebration is going back home having a good cup of tea or coffee with my family, my wife and my daughter and then try and refocus have a good meal and then refocus for the next day.” Ashwin said.

Talking about the one moment that shook him up and made him take things in hand and turn them around in the manner he has done, the allrounder said, “One particular moment in Adelaide where I was left out of the Test match in 2015. I had played a couple of matches in England and I felt I was going to start off that series but it didn’t happen it was a blow to my pride as a cricketer so that particular moment where I actually took Barat Arun aside and spoke to him and actually worked on a lot of things and ever since things have flowed like music and it is that particular moment where I wanted to scale some sort of excellence.”