Ravichandran Ashwin : People tend to brand IPL as villain to Indian cricket
BCCI
Ravichandran Ashwin has defended the Indian Premier League stating that people look at the cash-rich league as a "villain" to the Indian cricket. The all-rounder further added that the monetary gains from the tournament provide motivation to the players, which has helped them perform better.
IPL's mega-auction, which took place last month, witnessed a magnanimous overflow of money in the process and drew harsh criticism from many including New Zealand players Association. However, Ashwin, who has been a part of the league since its inception has refused to buy it claiming that it has been quite beneficial for the youngsters.
"People tend to brand IPL as some sort of a villain to Indian cricket in a lot of ways. It depends how a cricketer address IPL. Any sort of monetary gain that IPL provides is a motivation to move ahead," said Ashwin, reported Gulf News.Â
After being a part of Chennai Super Kings for eight seasons, Ashiwn played for Rising Pune Supergiants and was recently picked up by Kings XI Punjab for INR7.6 crore in the mega-auction. However, Ashwin has always believed that money, although a big motivator, has always been a by-product of the game.Â
"It is a massive move by the BCCI to do a tournament like this because it definitely gives a better lifestyle for the cricketer in terms of money. I am sure nothing brings confidence more than money brings to you. The upbringing of a kid matters a lot. How much it means to him to don those Indian colours and go out there and play and excel as a cricketer plays a big role. I have always looked at excellence, try and get better and win a game. When that is the motive I think money just becomes a by-product," he said.
With his place in the Indian squad drying up with every passing series, Ashwin's only way of proving his mettle and making a comeback to the side before the World Cup s through IPL. It has also been recently learned that the Tamil Nadu bowler, who has been sidelined from the side due to the terrific performances by Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, has been working on learning leg-spin. The 31-year-old, who has played 111 IPL matches claiming 100 wickets at an average of 25.00, could see his new weapon coming in handy in the upcoming league.
