Indian cricket icon Ravichandran Ashwin has been conferred the highly regarded Padma Shri Award by the Indian government for his invaluable contributions to Indian cricket. One of the most successful spinners in the game's history, Ashwin has been a perpetual performer in all formats and a key figure behind many of India's record-breaking wins.

His home performances have been specially impressive, where he has consistently torn apart top batting orders with ease.In addition to his bowling, Ashwin is also a consistent lower-order batsman, with five Test hundreds to his credit — a distinction few bowlers enjoy. His all-round abilities have turned matches around for India numerous times, for which he has received several "Player of the Series" awards.

Ashwin's contribution to Indian cricket is more than just statistics. His survival skills, innovative mindset, and leadership have been an example to future generations.His own contribution to Indian success overseas, especially the landmark series victory over Australia in 2020-21, underlined his importance to the side.The Padma Shri award is well-deserved accolade for Ashwin's dedication, excellence, and contributions to Indian cricket. It is an occasion of pride for Ashwin, his admirers, and the whole sporting fraternity.

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Congratulations to @ashwinravi99 on being conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award by the Hon'ble President of India @rashtrapatibhvn, honouring his remarkable achievements and an illustrious career with #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/8HlYQx3Dsl

— BCCI (@BCCI) April 28, 2025

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Ravichandran Ashwin’s records and achievements

Ravichandran Ashwin was awarded the Padma Shri Award by the Government of India, in consideration of his achievements and great service to Indian cricket. His impressive career is littered with records and awards which amply qualify him for this prestigious award.Ashwin is one of the all-time great off-spinners in cricket history. India's second-most successful wicket-taker in Test cricket history, he had more than 490 Test wickets as of 2024. He achieved several of his key milestones ahead of any other Indian bowler:

• Fastest Indian to claim 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, and 400 Test wickets.
• Second quickest in the world to reach 400 Test wickets, having done so in only 77 Tests.
• First bowler in more than 100 years to dismiss more than 200 left-handers in Test cricket.

Ashwin boasts a mind-boggling record of 34 five-wicket hauls and 8 ten-wicket match hauls in Tests, which puts him among the greats of all time across the world. His bowling averages and strike rates are among the highest for bowlers who have appeared in over 100 Test innings.Apart from his bowling, Ashwin is also a very skilled batsman. He has 5 Test centuries and 13 Test fifties to his name, becoming only the third Indian cricketer after Kapil Dev and Harbhajan Singh to have the rare double of 400 wickets and 5 Test centuries — a genuine sign of an elite all-rounder.Ashwin has played a key role in many of India's record Test series victories, including:

• The 3-0 series triumph against Australia in 2013 when he picked 29 wickets.
• The 2016-17 home season when he picked 82 wickets and was instrumental in India's unbeaten campaign.
• The 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, when his bowling and a heroic batting performance in Sydney helped save India from possible defeat and ensured India's record series victory.

Globally, Ashwin has also been instrumental in:

• 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, in which he was a part of the winning team.
• 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, with key spells in India's victory.

He has been designated as ICC No. 1 Test Bowler and All-Rounder several times, especially from the years 2015-2017. He was also honored with the high-profile ICC Cricketer of the Year Award in 2016 and was only the third Indian to have won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy.Other than statistics, Ashwin's capacity to thrive in diverse conditions, his strategic awareness of the game, and his leadership skills have left a lasting impact on Indian cricket. His off-the-field and on-the-field efforts have raised the standards of excellence and professionalism for the sport.With such remarkable records and his dedication to Indian cricket, the Padma Shri Award is well-deserved acclaim of Ravichandran Ashwin's colossus impact on the sport. His rags-to-riches story inspires up-and-coming cricketers throughout the country.