Need to adjust to Virat Kohli's "aggressive" captaincy, says Ashwin

01/12/2017

R Ashwin has said that he would need some time to get used to new captain Virat Kohli's aggressive style of captaincy after having played under MS Dhoni for both club and country. The offie added that he would also need to make the transition between formats quickly to succeed against England.

There has been a lot of speculation about the relationship between former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin over the last year after the former underutilized the offie in the last edition of the Indian Premier League.

After winning the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award, Ashwin didn't mention Dhoni in his acceptance speech and it created a huge furore in the media. However, the news that the Ranchi man had stepped down from the helm of the side was followed by a tweet about the same by the spinner.

"It (communication) will be different because of the kind of interactions we will have before and after (of the over). While playing alongside Mahi, which will not happen from this game onwards, it was almost like communicating through top of the mark to the 'keeper," Ashwin said during the practice session in Gahunje, reported TOI.

"It will be very different. Obviously, Virat will be around at the short mid-wicket and short cover, but it will be different and will just try and get used to that sort of communication. Virat on occasions can be a little aggressive and that is the one thing that I need to adjust to."

I will have to get used to it: Ashwin

The duo were together in Chennai for the first eight editions of the IPL but due to the ban on the franchise had to move away from the most successful team in the league's history. However, both were picked up by the Rising Pune Supergiants and the Tamil Nadu spinner continued playing under the same captain for almost a decade.

"I have played just one whole ODI series with Virat against Sri Lanka. He likes attacking and taking wickets through the middle overs even at the costs of some runs. I don't mind that, but will have to get used to it," Ashwin said.

"In terms of leadership and communication, I still think Mahi is going to hold the key, because he is a 'keeper and he is going to bring that invaluable experience with him. So it is going to be very important that we try and take as much as valuable inputs and take the team forward."

The TN spinner was instrumental in the 4-0 Test series win against England scoring 306 runs along with 28 wickets in the five-match series. When asked about how difficult it was to switch from one format to the other he replied, "It's more of a mental switch. We played a few T20s in the US and that was a good switch for me. I am sure it is going to be a big challenge and the next few days of the practice are going to be important. I tried to tick as many boxes and practiced in Chennai, but nothing like game time."

Need to adjust to Virat Kohli's "aggressive" captaincy, says Ashwin

I will have to get used to it: Ashwin

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