Ravichandran Ashwin will be an excellent captain for India, says Joe Dawes

Ravichandran Ashwin is currently leading King's XI Punjab as the captain in the 2018 IPL. On taking the role, he had vowed to use his experience to be proficient in this season and true to his words, he has taken the team closer to the playoffs. He had to take some major decisions in this edition of the playoffs like dropping David Miller, Yuvraj Singh, and Aaron Finch. Chris Gayle has been utilized very efficiently as well while Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Andrew Tye have 34 wickets between them under the leadership of the TN offie.

Australia’s Joe Dawes, who was India’s bowling coach from 2012-2014, spoke about Ashwin’s unique viewpoint to the game and how he liked to try new things. It was these explorations like his idea to try leg-spin that has made Ashwin one of the best spinners in world cricket. Dawes further expressed that he felt Ashwin would make a great captain for the Indian team if the occasion ever arose.

“Ashwin is a unique cricketer. He loves to try out new things and tinker with what he has. There were times as coach I would have loved him to keep things simple but this is what makes him tick and has helped him become one of the best spinners. As coach, you should encourage players to add skills to their game as long as it does not take away from their core game,” Dawes told Hindustan Times.

“As captain, I think he (Ashwin) will excel (at the International level). Once he finds his feet, he will do a good job because he has a great cricketing brain.”

With the World Cup coming close next year, India’s plan B in fast bowling does not have a positive outcome. Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav have been kept only for Tests in the last one-and-half years while Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah were named in ODIs and T20s. However, Dawes has faith in the Shami and Umesh duo to get the job done at the World Cup.

“They have given opportunities to a number of fast bowlers in recent times like Shardul(Thakur), Bumrah to go with Shami, and the pairing of Umesh and Bhuvneshwar. I’m confident the experienced guys will step up when required.”  

When asked if the IPL is the right stage for a young bowler who is yet to take on Domestic cricket, Dawes replied, “They have expectations, not only from their families, but also from themselves and sometimes we see a lot fail early. But cricket is about taking your chances. If a young Indian can come into IPL and do well, he is in a good position to play domestic and international cricket.”