At the recent AWS AI Conclave 2025, India’s ace spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently retired from international cricket, highlighted the importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cricket.
During a fireside chat with renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle, Ashwin said that cricketers who will not use AI and data analytics may not enjoy long careers in the sport. Bhogle echoed this sentiment, noting how the metrics used to evaluate batters have evolved.
Bhogle explained saying, “In earlier days, we measured batters by runs and minutes, even ignoring balls faced. The concept of strike rate didn’t even exist. But today, we analyze everything wagon wheels, beehives, swing percentages, and even predictive models.” He elaborated on how AI tools can provide real-time insights, such as identifying the maximum swing generated by a bowler during the first half-hour of a Test match.
Ashwin, further added that In modern cricket, players and coaches are inundated with data, but not all of it is actionable. As he aptly pointed out, he jokes that he appreciates Cricket Australia for uploading match highlights to their YouTube channel, which he uses to analyze how batsmen score runs. Bhogle humorously asked him, “How many terabytes of RAM do you have inside your head?” to which Ashwin replied, “My mind is AI.”
According to the reports, Ace cricketer Jonty Rhodes, a retired South African player and legendary fielder who is a coach in the IPL, noted that data analytics plays a crucial role in making on-field decisions today. He added, “For instance, when Virat Kohli comes to bat, the opposition often chooses a left-arm bowler, as statistics show he tends to get out to left-arm spinners.”
During the conversation, Bhogle brought up another exciting example regarding shot percentages. He said, “If Jasprit Bumrah and another bowler produce a similar percentage of false shots, why is Bumrah taking more wickets? That’s where AI can help us discover deeper insights.”
Ashwin acknowledged the importance of such models but reiterated the value of human intuition too. He said, “Cricket is played as much in the mind as it is on the field. If a player like MS Dhoni knows what you’re planning, he will adapt and outthink you. Data may inform you, but it is your instinct that wins battles.”
But, as cricket increasingly embraces AI and analytics, the challenge is to balance technology with the human element.
Both Ashwin and Bhogle highlighted the importance of cricket remaining a player-centric sport with AI data that works as a supporting tool in the sport. However, in the end, Ashwin stated, “Ultimately, the game is about players and their ability to adapt, innovate, and perform under pressure,”
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