CHENNAI: Kings XI Punjab on Monday announced India off-spinner R Ashwin as their captain for the upcoming IPL season. This might be Ashwin's maiden stint as a leader of an IPL franchisee.
ALSO READ: Ashwin to steer Kings XI Punjab in IPL
Even although Yuvraj Singh, a former Punjab skipper in the IPL, was also in the reckoning, Kings XI mentor Virender Sehwag stated that he always sought after a bowler to steer the facet.
"I always thought that a bowler should be made the captain because I was a big fan of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Kapil Dev. I thought a bowler would be the best candidate for our team's captaincy. Yuvraj was also there in our minds. But a lot of votes from our support staff and owners went to Ashwin," Sehwag stated.
For Ashwin, who was an integral a part of the Chennai Super Kings, captaincy promotion was a part of a "natural progression" after his seven-year international profession.
"I see it as a natural progression for having played cricket for so long at the top level. I have always felt I had it in me (to be captain). WV Raman identified me as a captain when I was 21 years old. I ended up winning a few titles for TN. But for a bowler to become a captain, which is not something natural in the country, this is something fascinating," stated the 31-year-old.
ALSO READ: IPL 2018 - Full time table, match timings, venues and more
Known for his innovation and out-of-the-box thinking, Ashwin believes in his "tactical and strategical sharpness" to stay things going at the field.
"Being a bowler captain, I will be able to understand the bowlers and field changes. There are so many numbers and stats that can be crunched in T20s. I believe in certain amount of preparation before a match. I also believe my tactical and strategic sharpness which might stand me in good stead. I think I have got enough experience inside the dressing room to be able to fall back on to with those decisions," he added.
Ashwin's primary focal point as a leader is to build a "sound team culture" and create a really perfect environment for his boys to deliver at the field.
"I think one has to be realistic. For me, the goal will be to have a good season, get a lot of players performing with most of the guys ticking the right boxes. I will try to build a sound team culture. I will try to create a best performing environment for the team so that they are in the best space inside the room to go out there and express themselves," stated Ashwin.
Over the years, Ashwin has featured under iconic skipper MS Dhoni in CSK and has seen from shut quarters one of the crucial different tactically sound skippers similar to Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Sehwag himself in IPL.
Ashwin desires to pick out the sure attributes from all those skippers and put it to make use of at the field. "I have seen four-five captains in my career so far. All of these captains have a lot of positives in them. It's all about trying to take different positives and attributes from each one of them and try to put it to use in my game. Sehwag is instinctive, has a sound mind and mentally a strong person. I look to pick those things and become better," stated Ashwin.
ALSO READ: Ashwin to steer Kings XI Punjab in IPL
Even although Yuvraj Singh, a former Punjab skipper in the IPL, was also in the reckoning, Kings XI mentor Virender Sehwag stated that he always sought after a bowler to steer the facet.
"I always thought that a bowler should be made the captain because I was a big fan of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Kapil Dev. I thought a bowler would be the best candidate for our team's captaincy. Yuvraj was also there in our minds. But a lot of votes from our support staff and owners went to Ashwin," Sehwag stated.
For Ashwin, who was an integral a part of the Chennai Super Kings, captaincy promotion was a part of a "natural progression" after his seven-year international profession.
"I see it as a natural progression for having played cricket for so long at the top level. I have always felt I had it in me (to be captain). WV Raman identified me as a captain when I was 21 years old. I ended up winning a few titles for TN. But for a bowler to become a captain, which is not something natural in the country, this is something fascinating," stated the 31-year-old.
ALSO READ: IPL 2018 - Full time table, match timings, venues and more
Known for his innovation and out-of-the-box thinking, Ashwin believes in his "tactical and strategical sharpness" to stay things going at the field.
"Being a bowler captain, I will be able to understand the bowlers and field changes. There are so many numbers and stats that can be crunched in T20s. I believe in certain amount of preparation before a match. I also believe my tactical and strategic sharpness which might stand me in good stead. I think I have got enough experience inside the dressing room to be able to fall back on to with those decisions," he added.
Ashwin's primary focal point as a leader is to build a "sound team culture" and create a really perfect environment for his boys to deliver at the field.
"I think one has to be realistic. For me, the goal will be to have a good season, get a lot of players performing with most of the guys ticking the right boxes. I will try to build a sound team culture. I will try to create a best performing environment for the team so that they are in the best space inside the room to go out there and express themselves," stated Ashwin.
Over the years, Ashwin has featured under iconic skipper MS Dhoni in CSK and has seen from shut quarters one of the crucial different tactically sound skippers similar to Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Sehwag himself in IPL.
Ashwin desires to pick out the sure attributes from all those skippers and put it to make use of at the field. "I have seen four-five captains in my career so far. All of these captains have a lot of positives in them. It's all about trying to take different positives and attributes from each one of them and try to put it to use in my game. Sehwag is instinctive, has a sound mind and mentally a strong person. I look to pick those things and become better," stated Ashwin.
I see captaincy as a natural progression: Ashwin
![I see captaincy as a natural progression: Ashwin]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
February 27, 2018
Rating:
