Dubai: Star Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been named the skipper of IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab for the upcoming edition of the tournament. The IPL XI will be held from April 4 to May 27 this year.
A loyalist of the Chennai Super Kings during the first eight years of the IPL, Ashwin was bought by the Punjab side for a whopping 7.6 crore, after the Chennai did not retain the spinner. “I feel honoured to be trusted with the responsibility of leading such a talented bunch of cricketers,” Ashwin told the team website.
“I am confident of bringing out the best out of teammates. This is indeed a proud moment for me.”
He further said: “There is no additional pressure on me as such. I first led my state side in first class cricket when I was 21. I have done it in the past and I am sure that I will enjoy the challenge.”
The reports of Ashwin leading the side had surfaced earlier, but an official word had to come in from the side. Interestingly, the all-rounder has been preferred over a number of senior incumbents like Yuvraj Singh, who was the icon player of the team in the first edition, Aaron Finch (who has led Australia in shorter formats) and Chris Gayle.
“There was also talk in the management about making Yuvraj captain. Yuvraj is a great friend but in cricketing matters, you keep friendships aside and we all felt Ashwin will be a great leader for us”, Virender Sehwag, Director of Cricket Operations of Kings XI, was quoted as saying.
Having played for CSK till 2015, Ashwin had in the last two years appeared for Rising Pune Supergiant. In 111 IPL matches so far, Ashwin has picked 100 wickets at an average of 24.99 and at an economy rate of 6.55.
The team took to Twitter and wrote, “We have a new #KingOfTheNorth! Sheron, give a big welcome to the Protector of the Realm! Our new captain, @ashwinravi99! #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi.”
Meanwhile, the Indian board has turned down ICC’s request of rescheduling an IPL match in Kolkata during its annual board meeting there from April 22-26.
It’s after long time that ICC is having its high profile meeting in Kolkata and since it is overlapping with the match, the world governing body wanted BCCI to ensure that its members could at least watch a home match of Kolkata Knight Riders.
“Yes, there was a specific request from ICC as they wanted its various member delegates to watch an IPL game. However between April 22 and 26, there are no home games of KKR at the Eden Gardens,” a senior BCCI official said on conditions of anonymity.
KKR are playing a home match on April 16 and their next home game is on May 3.
