Baba Indrajith reveals Ravichandran Ashwin's colossal IPL dream ahead of mega auction

Tamil Nadu batter Baba Indrajith praised the Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for his outstanding captaincy, which was instrumental in the Dindigul Dragons' victory in the Tamil Nadu Premier League 2024 (TNPL 2024) earlier this month.

Indrajith and Ashwin both were instrumental in the Dindigul Dragons clinching the first-ever TNPL title. Indrajith was the third-highest run-scorer in the recent TNPL 2024, with 286 runs at an average of 40.85 and a strike rate of 133.02 across 10 innings.

Baba Indrajith hails Ravichandran Ashwin’s leadership after the Dindigul Dragons’ historic TNPL 2024 win

On the other hand, Ravichandran Ashwin amassed 252 runs at an average of 36 and a strike rate exceeding 150, finishing as the fifth-highest run scorer in the tournament. Recently, Indrajith hailed Ashwin's exceptional leadership qualities, highlighting his strategic thinking and ability to stay ahead of opponents.

He also revealed that Ravichandran Ashwin has the ambition to win an IPL trophy as captain. Notably, Ashwin captained the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2018 and 2019, but they did not advance to the playoffs in those IPL seasons. He is now part of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL.

Well, Indrajith also emphasized Ravichandran Ashwin's hands-on approach with the entire Dindigul Dragons team during the recent TNPL. He also revealed that Ashwin engaged with every member of the Dindigul Dragons team throughout the TNPL this year, motivating them to perform at their best, a level of involvement that even a head coach did not involve that much.

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 set for India comeback with Bangladesh Tests

Ravichandran Ashwin will be next seen in action in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home. India will be hosting Bangladesh for the WTC Tests next month, with the first Test scheduled at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on September 23.

Earlier, Ravichandran Ashwin hailed Indian captain Rohit Sharma for his selfless batting during the team’s 2-0 ODI series loss to Sri Lanka in the three-match ODI series in Colombo.