Rajasthan Royals (RR) spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is known for his intelligence on the pitch. Recently, in the match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the veteran became the first player to retire out in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The tactic allowed Riyan Parag to come to the crease with 10 balls remaining to replace Ashwin.
The 35-year-old was also the first in the IPL to effect a run out of a non-striker, or a 'Mankad', for backing up too far. The Indian had controversially dislodged the bails to dismiss his now-teammate Jos Buttler in 2019 when he was playing for the erstwhile Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings).
His abilities have earned praises from many past and present IPL stars. The latest to join the list is former Delhi Capitals (DC) coach Mohammad Kaif, who recalled an incident that displayed Ashwin's professional attitude, "Ashwin was with me at Delhi Capitals before moving to Rajasthan Royals. I remember the previous IPL's first half being hosted in the country. The first game was at the Wankhede and he leaked many runs. It was an optional practice the next day. Players who had played the previous game had an option to rest.
"But Ashwin was with me on the bus. I asked him, 'What happened? Today is just an optional session'. But he said, 'I want to get my length right'," Kaif told Sportskeeda.
Kaif was a part of the DC support staff between 2019 and 2021. He further revealed how Ashwin never backs away from adding new things to his skill-set, "After a poor show in the first game, Ashwin admitted that he wasn't in his routine, and said he gave too much time to the team shoots. Ashwin always thinks about his bowling and the correction he needs to do. He always looks to work on new things and keeps adding variations in the net sessions.
"He was also trying to bowl a delivery that didn't bounce much due to its low trajectory. He keeps adding new things, that's why he is such a big name. He is a genuine wicket-taker," he further added.
The bowling all-rounder was bought by RR for Rs 5 crore in the IPL 2022 mega auction back in February. He has picked up two wickets in six matches this season. His second scalp of the season dismissed Andre Russell for a golden duck as the Royals beat KKR in their last match on Monday (April 18).
