Former India all-rounder R Ashwin strongly questioned the growing influence of fan armies on social media, calling it a troubling trend in modern Indian cricket. Ashwin said many opinions that surface online are often views he has already heard privately in cricketing circles, raising concerns over how such narratives are amplified.
Ashwin took aim at the superhero culture in Indian cricket, arguing that the game’s essence is being overshadowed by personality-driven narratives and brand-building.
While clarifying that he was not directly accusing players of planting such views, Ashwin admitted the pattern was scary and hinted that business interests and PR machinery could be shaping public discourse.
Ashwin, who retired from international cricket in December 2024 after the Boxing Day Test against Australia, made it clear that he has no issue with self-promotion, but firmly opposed any attempt to speak ill of fellow cricketers.
“There’s something of a disease going around at this point. A lot of these opinions that show up on social media through fan armies—I’ve heard them before, first-hand. Sometimes, I’ve heard these same views at a breakfast table or a lunch table, and later they appear online under some other name. That’s when you wonder—how is this happening?” Ashwin said at the Revsportz Conclave in Kolkata.
“I’m not saying players themselves are planting these opinions, but it is scary. Is there some sort of espionage going on? I’m not saying that’s exactly what’s happening, but there is surely some business structure involved. Today, every player is an entrepreneur, and pushing opinions outside can increase brand value or improve PR. I’m all for that. But speaking ill of another cricketer is something I would never do,” Ashwin said.
