Tamil Nadu batter Baba Indrajith has heaped praise on Ravichandran Ashwin for his remarkable leadership that guided the Dindigul Dragons (DD) to their first-ever Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) title in the 2024 season. The pair was instrumental in the Dragons’ success, each playing a crucial role in the team’s historic run.
Indrajith, known for his consistency, finished as the third-highest run-scorer of the tournament, amassing 286 runs at an average of 40.85 and a strike rate of 133.02 over 10 matches. Ashwin, primarily known for his off-spin, surprised many by ranking fifth on the run charts with 252 runs, averaging 36 and striking at an impressive 152.
Despite a challenging season where DD barely secured a playoff spot by finishing fourth on the points table, Ashwin’s captaincy shone through. His tactical acumen and on-field leadership were pivotal in the Dragons’ title run, earning him widespread acclaim.
In an interview with Cricket.com, Indrajith spoke highly of Ashwin’s leadership qualities and suggested that the off-spinner harbors dreams of leading an IPL team to victory: “Of course, everyone will see him as a captain, he has a very good cricketing brain. He’s always thinking of getting one up over the batter or the bowler. He has all the leadership qualities. I think he has the dream to win an IPL trophy as a captain, so why not?”
Ashwin’s contributions in the playoffs were particularly notable, where he scored three consecutive half-centuries to lead his team to ultimate glory. This incredible performance solidified his reputation as a leader who can deliver under pressure.
The 37-year-old has previously captained Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Although PBKS narrowly missed the playoffs both times, Ashwin’s leadership abilities were evident.
Indrajith further highlighted Ashwin’s involvement with every member of the DD squad throughout the TNPL season. “His involvement was not just in his skills but in the skills of other players as well, both on and off the field. Over the last 30-35 days, including the 10-day camp, he was involved throughout. Right from the first person to the 20th person, he was engaged 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,” Indrajith added.
Ashwin’s next challenge will be the two-Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19, where he will once again be expected to play a key role for India.
