IPL 2018 | R Ashwin wants to use his CSK experience to lead KXIP

Ashwin, who was a part of Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Supergiant in the past editions of the Indian Premier League, was bought by Punjab for a whopping Rs. 7.6 crore for the 2018 edition and has eventually been picked up to lead the side. After being selected for the team, Ashwin was truly excited but stated that it was just a natural progression.

“For me, ‘captain’ is just a tagline. Captaincy and leadership are only taglines, labels. I have always believed that every player is his own captain and a leader of his team in his own right. This is just an extension of that,” Ashwin told Wisden India.

“I have been around for a long time, I have played for two franchises. I have seen the ups and downs. I have been tonked around, I have had great success. I have been part of a very successful team in Chennai Super Kings, I have seen what it takes to win titles.

“I would like to take those learnings and put them into practice. There has been plenty of talk about my future as an international cricketer in the limited-overs format, but this is not the time to dwell on that,” the off-spinner added.

Though Ashwin has plenty of experience in leading a side in the domestic level, the team also has players like Yuvraj Singh and Aaron Finch, who could have been potential candidates for the role. However, Virender Sehwag, the team’s head of cricket operations, decided to give Ashwin the opportunity. 

“The franchise has shown a great deal of faith in making me the captain of a side that includes Yuvi pa (Yuvraj Singh) and Aaron Finch, who has already led Australia previously. To be named the captain is a huge honour for me, and I will do everything I can to justify the confidence reposed in me by my franchise.”

“We have all played with and against each other previously. Obviously, while I might be the captain, we will all work together to take the team forward. These guys bring a lot of experience and expertise with them, and I would love to tap into that. As a captain, I would like to offer something different in terms of strategising and going by my instinct. 

“I have been a captain earlier too, leading Tamil Nadu to limited-overs titles. I myself was a young captain then and learnt quite a bit on the job. I am obviously a more mature individual now, and I am confident of getting the best out of the wonderful talent alongside whom I will turn out for Kings XI Punjab.”