R Ashwin has raised concerns about the growing influence of fan culture in Indian cricket. He pointed out how social media is shaping opinions and shifting focus away from the game.
He said many online views are not random. According to him, similar opinions are often discussed privately before appearing publicly, raising questions about how narratives are formed.
Ashwin did not name any player directly. However, he hinted that there could be organised efforts behind certain discussions on social media.
He also spoke about the rise of personal branding among players. While building a brand is important, he stressed that targeting fellow players should never be part of it.
Ashwin observed that cricket is slowly turning into a superstar driven space. Fans are focusing more on individuals rather than the sport itself.
He noted that discussions often turn into comparisons. Instead of analysing performance or technique, debates shift towards player rivalries.
Ashwin shared an example from his own experience. He had posted about Shubman Gill’s dismissals to explain a technical aspect of the game.
However, the discussion quickly changed direction. People questioned why only one player was being analysed instead of focusing on the insight.
Ashwin emphasised that criticism and analysis are essential in cricket. But he warned that fan wars and personal attacks take away from the essence of the sport.
