Not looking at IPL for limited-overs comeback: Ashwin
NEWDELHI:Ravichandran Ashwin insists that he is not losing sleep over making a limited-overs comeback for India and his immediate focus is on the “big responsibility” of captaining Kings XI Punjab in the upcoming Indian Premier League.
Ashwin, who was appointed KXIP captain ahead of Yuvraj Singh and Aaron Finch, has lost his place in the Indian limitedovers side alongwith all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. The off-spinner last took the field in a coloured India jersey in July, 2017.
“I am not looking at this IPL for an India comeback. I go into the IPL with a mindset that I have every year. This season I have a big responsibility (captaining KXIP) and I am ready for the challenge. I am not looking for anything else. It (India comeback) will happen if it has to,” said Ashwin.
Finger spinners Ashwin and Jadeja selection for next year’s World Cup seems unlikely at the moment with wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav doing a fine job for India.
However, Ashwin’s performance in the IPL will hold the key for him not just as captain but also as a senior bowler who is ready to unleash leg-spin in the tournament to be played in AprilMay.
It is still early days for deciding on team combinations but one of Ashwin’s challenges would be to handle senior players in the squad. Yuvraj, Finch, David Miller and Chris Gayle are among the high-profile players in the side this season.
“Having played international cricket for close to 10 years, I don’t think I will have an issue (handling the senior players). I am also one of them. It is a strong squad and I feel all the big names you have mentioned will play an integral role,” he said.
The franchise had plenty of captaincy options but went for Ashwin, who took no time to accept the challenge. Team mentor Virender Sehwag too has said that he wanted a bowler to be the leader.
“I see it as a natural progression having played cricket for so long at the top level. I have always felt I had it in me to be captain. It is really exciting,” said the tweaker from Tamil Nadu.
Ashwin might have the experience of playing 57 Tests, 111 ODIs and 46 T20 Internationals but is forever a student of the game. And that is why, he is hoping to learn from 16-year-old spin sensation from Afghanistan, Mujeeb Zadran.
“I have heard great things about him and I am looking forward to bowling alongside him and hopefully and learn a trick or two from him,” he said modestly. Ashwin added that it will be a different experience playing for a team which is not Chennai Super Kings, who will return after serving a two-year ban. He played seven seasons for CSK.
It was special to play for CSK but now it is about doing the job for the team which went after me in the auction.
R ASHWIN, On playing for Kings XI