New Delhi, February 27
Senior off-spinner 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 edition of the Indian Premier League. Ashwin, who has been appointed KXIP captain ahead of the likes of Yuvraj Singh and Aaron Finch, has lost his place in the limited-overs side along with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
“I am not looking at this IPL for an India comeback. I go into IPL with a mindset that I have every year. This season I have a big responsibility 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 seem unlikely for next year’s World Cup at the moment with wrist-spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav doing a fine job.
Anyway, it will be interesting to see Ashwin wearing the captain’s hat and how he handles senior players like Yuvraj, Aaron Finch, David Miller and Chris Gayle. “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 big names will play an integral role,” said the 31-year-old.
After being among the most sought-after players until a couple of years back, the stock of Yuvraj and Gayle has dipped drastically and both of them were picked up at their base price in the auction last month. While Yuvraj is a certainty in the playing eleven, it remains to be seen how the team fits in Gayle as it has an in-form opening duo of Finch and Mayank Agarwal at its disposal. KL Rahul is another batsman who could open.
Lot of captaincy options
The franchise had a plenty of captaincy options but went for Ashwin. Explaining Ashwin’s elevation, team mentor Virender Sehwag said he wanted a bowler to be the leader. “I see it as a natural progression after having played cricket for so long at the top level. I have always felt I had it in me to be a captain. It is really exciting,” said the tweaker from Tamil Nadu.
Learn tricks from Zadran
Ashwin might have the experience of playing 57 Tests, 111 ODIs and 46 T20 Internationals but he remains a student of the game. And that’s why he is hoping to learn from Mujeeb Zadran, a 16-year-old spin sensation from Afghanistan.
“I have heard great things about him and I am looking forward to bowling alongside him and hopefully learn a trick or two from him,” he said. — PTI
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