IPL 2020: Ravichandran Ashwin explains why he moved from Kings XI Punjab to Delhi Capitals and his T20I ambitions

Ravichandran Ashwin moved from Kings XI Punjab to Delhi Capitals during the transfer window last month. However, he revealed in a chat with Mumbai Mirror that IPL is not the only tournament Ashwin has in mind as far as T20 cricket was concerned.

Having last played a T20I for India way back in July 2017, Ashwin hasn't yet given up hopes of delivering for India with the white-ball. Looking at the recent happenings in the domestic T20s where Ashwin was seen coming one down and even opening the batting for Tamil Nadu in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He also experimented inexplicable variations, giving the fans a clue about Ashwin's T20I ambitions and representing India in the T20 World Cup in Australia next year. He said:

“I enjoy playing day in, day out. But I felt somewhere in my career, because of the white ball snub and injuries, I had lost the joy of playing the game, which was very very dangerous for me. I could not watch the game on TV.”

"That is also the case in World T20 arena. Vast experiences have gone on to win the World Cups. West Indies, for instance -- Chris Gayle, Darren Sammy, Kieron Pollard, etc.”

He even took the example of former Indian player Yuvraj Singh's comeback to the Indian side after strong domestic performances and thinks that he can replicate what the great allrounder did post his return from cancer. Ashwin stated:

“That was something I did not enjoy. Thankfully I have gotten over it. I took the help of people and I have gotten over it. World Twenty20 is a realistic goal for everybody. Who does not want to represent India at the competition? Yuvraj Singh came back for World T20 in 2014 and then in 2017 Champions Trophy. I am only 33.”

Ravichandran Ashwin

Talking about his move from Kings XI Punjab to Delhi Capitals during the transfer window, Ashwin stated clearly that it was the decision of the franchises rather than him trying to force a deal. He accepted his failure as a captain but expressed his happiness that he always gave his best for the team. He explained:

“My stint at Kings XI was fantastic, to say the least. The experience enriched me in every possible way. I was given the role of captaincy, that was the new boundaries I explored. Within my purview, I thought I did a fair job, if not a very good job, but these decisions were not mine entirely.”

"There are other factors, the owners did feel I haven’t delivered which is true because I could not take the team through to the playoffs in both the seasons. You can give excuses why we could not do that, but I am someone who takes it under my chin and admits that ‘yes I couldn’t deliver.’ The trade was more initiated rather my doing.”

In 46 T20Is, Ashwin has 52 wickets at an average of 22.94 while in 139 IPL matches he has claimed 125 wickets at an average of 26.47. For Kings XI Punjab, Ashwin played 28 matches, claiming 25 wickets and captained them to 12 victories in two seasons.