Happy Birthday Ashwin

Each time I step on the hallowed grounds of Gennext Cricket Institute, I know that I am in a different zone. I know for certain that I am in for a visual treat for the body mind and soul. I can pick on each person who works over here and everyone will have a positive story to relate to. I call it hallowed grounds because here is where raw talent is molded into an all round human being. Today also happens to be the day when our mentor Ravichandran Ashwin was born. We all got together to present to him on his day a collective bouquet of memories and conversations with people who mean a lot to him, who have spent quality time with him and have been a part of his life outside of his own immediate family. Rightly said that he is extremely focused on his goals and a person who strives for perfection. A Few others say that Ashwin is someone who is not averse to experimenting. Some said that he is full of pranks and a very loving person to be around with.  For me as TBK I have found him to be very simple and most easily approachable. To be reborn as a new avtaar, that of TBK, the credit goes to you my friend. As I was crossing the Pondy Bazaar Signal, a gentleman on a two wheeler accosted me and said "TallBoyKarthik Sir I keep reading your blogs on Ashwin." Thanks to you a new passion is born and a new personality carved out.  Happy Birthday Ashwin from all of us at Gennext Cricket Institute. Have fun reading this blog and have a wonderful day.

Ravichandran Uncle-Founder Gennext Cricket Institute

I recall that there was nothing called a birthday celebration in my own childhood. However all that changed the moment my wife came into my life. Ashwin was born and my wife would deck up the entire house with all kinds of baloons and festoons. Little Ashwin would get up in the morning and wear his new clothes and go to school with a packet of chocolates to be distributed among his school friends. Later on in the evening Ashwins friends would come home and we would have a party at home with soft drinks and chips. Ashwin would enjoy the evening with friends, playing some games and they would all have fun. I am thankful to the Almighty for having blessed me with a son like Ashwin. I am also thankful to the Lady Gynaecologist- Dr Saraswathi Ramachandran in whose hands I saw Ashwin for the first time, the day he was born. I am not in touch with her but wish to meet her some day to thank her wholeheartedly. Happy Birthday Ashwin-Lots of Love and Blessings from Appa and Amma.

Sudarshan-COO Gennext Cricket Institute

It's a privilege for us at Gen-Next to have Ash as our mentor. I love his sense of humor & the fact that he has no airs about him. The Knowledge transfer from Ash to our Gen-Next coaches have done them a world of good & has helped us in running a successful academy. Happy birthday, Ash! Wishing you a fabulous year, I know you will ace the challenges that lie ahead. Keep inspiring Gen-Next as you always have. #Ash31

Srinivasan-Head Coach at Gennext Cricket Institute

I have always felt that Ashwin is extremely open minded towards feedback. I would say that he is an ideal student of the game of cricket. Whenever he has sought my counsel I have offered the same to him . The best part of his character is that he implements suggestions given to him almost immediately. He is never satisfied till these inputs are put into practiced and implemented to perfection. Once he wanted me to work on his sixer hitting abilities specific to the swing of the bat and the bat flow. So I helped him perfect the art. Soon after this in a One Day International match against New Zealand at home, India needed one run to win and then Ashwin came into bat. He could have easily taken a single and finished the match but Ashwin chose to finish the match with a huge sixer. He was keen to try the shot that he had just picked up. Post the match he messaged me with a child like exuberance on how happy he was at hitting that six. Such is his eagerness to learn new things and experiment. I wish Ashwin a Very Happy Birthday and many more successes and laurels in the years to come.

Aravind-Coach at Gennext Cricket Institute

I enjoy your company buddy and Wish to continue this partnership for many more Years to come. Happy Birthday Ash.

Santosh-Coach at Gennext Cricket Institute

We were playing a school game against the Salwan Boys high school Delhi at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore. We got 171 in 50 overs and they were 101/1 in about 27 or 28 overs.We needed to take wickets to win the game since it was a low total. Ashwin came on to bowl and he literally gave away only 1 to 2 runs every over. At the other end, we were alternating with myself and Kedar bowling. Whenever he gave away less than 3 runs in his over, he would come running to us and tell us that the since there were less runs scored in the previous over, we can try for a wicket in the next over and in the process even if we gave away 5 or 6 runs it was alright.He used to bowl tight overs in one end and let us take wickets from the other end.Eventually we went on to win that game by 2 runs. But his thought process at such a young age was so different from the others and his ability to think in pressure situations is what makes him an unique individual.
Wish him a very happy birthday and may he reach greater heights.

Subash Chandran-Coach at Gennext Cricket Institute

Ash's personal qualities are something which are very remarkable & that’s the reason he stands out as a cult cricketer. He treats his family and close friends as his highest priority & never allows others opinion invade his strong beliefs & goals. He is extremely analytical & knows his strength & weakness clearly. We have seen cricketers doing typical conventional styles but many were afraid to take risks & try new things. He has huge guts to experiment and innovate. For that you need to work hard and prove yourself. While many criticized his experimentation, when he succeeds the world appreciates his qualities and style for instance his carom ball, leg breaks etc. Each a masterpiece of his own making . I will call him as cricket Einstein or Steve Jobs of cricket. His basket always has plenty of ideas to be picked & all captains including Kohli have acknowledged the same till date. I remember in one of the practice matches long time back, he started bowling like Sunil Narain & he bowled one ball in his action in an international match. Another one is his high sense of humour. He is huge prankster & loves having fun. He will not spare anyone close to him including lovely dogs as well.

Kedar-Coach at Gennext Cricket Institute 

It was an under 16 state game versus Hyderabad at ACA-VDCA stadium.Back then R.Ashwin was an opening batsman who also bowled off spin, incidentally he scored a double hundred this game and went on to play for India under-16 later that year.They were 90 for 7 at one stage and one of their 7 down batsman Baljeet Singh i think that was his name,went on to score a hundred for them.The 8th wicket partnership was a big one for Hyderabad and they batted for a lot of overs.To break the partnership we tried all different things but unfortunately nothing worked. Ashwin bowled few overs - over the wickets CUTTING DIAGONAL like how a left arm spinner bowls around the wicket cutting diagonal.At that point of time we sort of laughed it off but looking back at it now that sort of thinking is unheard of 15 years ago.I think thats what differentiated Ashwin from the rest – his ability to see things differently and come up with different solutions for a problem.It was not just trying different solutions, it was the confidence with which he went about it made the difference.  Happy Birthday Ash...                      

Anand Narasimhan-Coach at Gennext Cricket Institute

First time I saw Ash when he was sitting on the road side shop and having soup (I guess it was 2011 or 12 if i am correct, sitting on the median and having that soup) That's the first sign of Ash to me!! And till now he hasn't changed a bit. The way he comes to ground whenever he has time and talking to the players and giving them advice, is something that is unique to him.The good thing about him is that he makes sure that, the particular person understands what is required from him,explained in such a way that he stands to deliver!! Thats the beauty about him!! Wish him all the success in future not only in cricket in life as well with family and his friends 

Shekar-Operations Manager at Gennext Cricket Institute

Year 2010 at Sathyam Cinemas. Occasion: CSK merchandise unveiling. Ashwin, one of the three chief guests for the event, kindly obliged a 24-year old boy with an autograph. 7 years later, after a gazillion laurels and distinctions, Ashwin has helped the autograph-seeking boy in making a career out of cricket. The boy in question is ME. Ash, I am indebted to you for what you have done to me in this short period of time. Wish you a rocking birthday. May you remain an ageless warrior continuing to inspire people to enjoy whatever they do. Wish you an amazing year full of laurels.

Kumar-Facilities Manager at Gennext Cricket Institute

Ashwin anna means a lot to me in my life. He keeps encouraging me both on and off the field. He insists that I should be proficient as far as my English and Computer skills are concerned. He constantly wants me to up my skills and better myself as an individual. Anna is a very simple person and loving at heart. Once his personal driver had to leave the ground on some urgent work. So Anna asked me drop him home on my two wheeler. I quickly went to a shop bought a hankerchief. He covered his face, with the hankerchief,wore a cap and I drove him back home on my bike. I can never forget this incident. Happy Birthday Ashwin Anna.

Rama-Coach at Gennext Cricket Institute

Happy birthday Ashwin anna. Street Cricket it was the first time we met and guess there was no looking back from there on.. Ice Boys, Rain Cricket and much more fun that we had together... May God shower his blessings on you and I wish you have a wonderful year ahead... 

Kaushik- Coaching Intern at Gennext Cricket Institute

I have been a  fan of Ashwin from 2011 when I started following him.. but never thought that 7 years later would be working under his guidance. The first time I met him he said "don't work for success, but do justice to the role assigned and other things will follow ". It seriously inspired me!! During the initial days I used to call him Ashwin sir at times but as days passed he had me into a comfort level and nowadays its more like speaking to my brother. I have seen him from close for days and learnt a lot from him including his hunger to perform and succeed. I admire the way he sweats it out during the training sessions to get himself up for the upcoming tours. Every time he comes to the ground in session times, he never misses an opportunity to spend some time with the boys, giving them sound advice what they need as a upcoming cricketer!  I have finally found a place myself to  express my passion and under the guidance of Ashwin. Wish you many more happy happy returns Ash Anna !! God bless you for a brilliant successful cricket career !! My Advances wishes for the Cricket record of fastest to 300 Test Wickets !!

Guha Kartikeyan-Coaching Intern at Gennext Cricket Institute

                                                                      

















Happy Birthday Ashwin Anna. Every cricket fanatic's dream would be meet an international cricketer and my craziness and love towards the game has not only made me to meet you but also provided me an opportunity to be a Gen-Nexter... You got to know me through my works, especially the "200th different batsman" one... One thing I like in you is the way you constantly update yourself-courtesy the ever-improving analysis methods. Incidents that I fondly remember are when you made Vijay Mallya pay back for his laugh during the 2011 IPL auctions by picking up his big fish Gayle in the 4th ball of the final. During the spells when you get a good rhythm going, one of my friends with whom I spend watching most of India's matches compares the rhythm of yours to a drummer mesermarizing his audience with the sticks. I pray to the Lord Almighty to bless you with good health and fitness to achieve more for the nation through your illustrious career. Now, How do I sign off??... My special way... with a stat... You have taken 494 international wickets... 6 away from 500... only 29 players have achieved the milestone of 500 international. wickets in their career... Hope you round off to become the 30th soon and provide me more stat-aches...

Srinivasan Venkatachalam-Coaching Intern at Gennext Cricket Institute

It is a dream for every cricket fan to take a picture with a international cricketer. glad that I can share my thoughts some with India's legendary Spinner, each time he visits the institute.. It was my first day of Summer camp at Gen Next as a student. I was really excited and was bowling in the nets Sudarshan the COO of Gennext Cricket Institute asked me "Hi Srini, How is the Program" I replied "Super Anna I am enjoying it." Then came the moment perhaps I had always dreamt about. Ash was running around the ground and after he finished his drills he came across to the nets where I was bowling . He just had a look at one ball that I bowled. He immediately asked me "Are u a Dale Steyn fan??" I was shell shocked that after watching just one ball he knew that my bowling action resembled that of Dale Steyn. After that he called me as Dale for several times. It was nice to hear an international player call me by name with tag it along with my idol's name. I am just 4 months old at Gennext Cricket Institute. I am a coaching intern for the junior boys. Thanks to that legend for giving me space in his wonderful institute to work with some wonderful human beings.Wishing Ashwin Anna a Very Happy Birthday. Hope he spins out many more batsman in the future and creates more history in the cricketing arena...

Uvashree-Coaching Intern at Gennext Cricket Institute

Wishing you a very happy and joyful birthday Ashwin anna. It's a privilege to work in your academy and I consider this as a golden opportunity to kick start my career. May God shower his bountiful blessings on you (with success and peace to you and your family). May this year bring you many more 5-fers and Centuries...