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Tamil Nadu batter Baba Indrajith lauded Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for his exceptional leadership, which played a crucial role in the Dindigul Dragons’ triumph in the Tamil Nadu Premier League 2024 (TNPL 2024) earlier this month.
Both Indrajith and Ashwin were key in securing the Dragons’ inaugural TNPL title. Indrajith, who finished as the third-highest run-scorer with 286 runs at an average of 40.85 and a strike rate of 133.02 from 10 innings, made significant contributions throughout the tournament.
Baba Indrajith praises Ravichandran Ashwin’s leadership following the Dindigul Dragons’ historic TNPL 2024 victory.
Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin scored 252 runs at an average of 36 and a strike rate over 150, securing the fifth spot among run-scorers in the tournament. Indrajith praised Ashwin’s exceptional leadership, noting his strategic prowess and ability to outthink opponents. He also mentioned Ashwin’s ambition to lead an IPL team to victory, despite his previous stints as captain with the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2018 and 2019, where they didn’t make the playoffs.
Currently with the Rajasthan Royals (RR), Ashwin’s hands-on approach with the Dindigul Dragons in the TNPL was notable, as he engaged deeply with every player, motivating them to excel in a manner even a head coach might not.
Ashwin has the dream of winning an IPL trophy as a captain: Baba Indrajith
Baba Indrajith was quoted as saying by Cricket.com: “Everyone will see him as a captain. He has got a good cricketing brain. Ashwin always tries to be one step ahead of the rivals. He has leadership qualities. Ashwin has the dream of winning an IPL trophy as a skipper. Ashwin was involved with all the members of the franchise in Tamil Nadu Premier League. From the first person to the 20th person, he spoke to everyone, pushing them to give their best.”
Indrajith added, “His involvement was not just in his skills but other players’ skills as well, not just on-field but off-field as well. In the last 30-35 days, including the camp [10 days], he was involved throughout. Right from the first person to the 20th person, he was involved with all, constantly pushing them to increase their fitness and strength. I don’t think even a head coach would have done as much as him.”
Ashwin is set to make a comeback for India in the Bangladesh Tests.
Ravichandran Ashwin is set to return to action in the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh, which will be held in India. The series starts with the first Test at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium on September 23. Previously, Ashwin praised Indian captain Rohit Sharma for his unselfish batting during India’s 2-0 ODI series defeat to Sri Lanka in Colombo.
