‘More than a couple of people’: Ravi Ashwin backs Gautam Gambhir’s ‘team-first’ philosophy

Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed strong support for Gautam Gambhir’s initiative to shift focus from individual superstardom to collective team success.

Ashwin opened up about Gambhir and Indian team at a show for RevSportz. Image | RevSportz

Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has thrown his significant support behind head coach of the Indian Men's Cricket team Gautam Gambhir’s mission to divert the limelight away from individual superstardom and back onto harmonised team accomplishment. Speaking to RevSportz on Wednesday, the 39-year-old legend, who took a staggering 537 Test wickets, mirrored the beliefs shared by Gambhir and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav following India's historic T20 World Cup 2026 triumph. Ashwin’s approval comes at a pivotal moment as Indian cricket guides a high-profile change.

Ashwin backs coach Gauti's vision

Ashwin, known for his analytical sense, was candid about the demand for a cultural reset in how Indian cricket is perceived.

"There is more to Indian cricket than just a couple of people," Ashwin remarked, backing Gambhir's often-debated stance on "hero worship."

"I like Gautam. Many people may have different opinions about him, but he is someone who always puts the team ahead of individuals. He credits the team, not individuals, and that’s something I admire," the off-spinner stated.

Read also: Every record India broke by winning the T20 World Cup 2026.

Building on the "SKY" vision

Ashwin’s statements align perfectly with the "Entertainment First" manifesto recently shared by captain Suryakumar Yadav. The T20I captain had previously mentioned that the goal was to convert India from a "cricketer-loving country" into a "cricket-loving country," where fans fill stadiums to watch the team's brand of play rather than just a specific star.

Ashwin commented that this selfless culture isn't completely new but needs to be the primary identity moving forward.

Remembering his years sharing the dressing room with legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, he pointed out, "The best part about us was that none of us blamed each other. We all wanted India to win and make the country proud."

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