How spinner R. Ashwin has evolved as a player and as a leader
REGARDLESS OF the final result of IPL 2018, it can be rightly argued that Ravichandran Ashwin has defied popular perception by being one of the most impressive captains of the tournament. From the very beginning, Ashwin had indicated that he was willing to take difficult decisions. Kings XI Punjab might not have qualified for the IPL play-offs but they did come close, winning five out of their first six games, with some incredible performances and seemed cohesive as an unit.
Ashwin took some exceptionally bold decisions which included not selecting Chris Gayle in the initial games and also dropping a T20 icon like Yuvraj Singh. Not to forget the fact that the captain didn’t hesitate to bench the only retained player of the franchise. Axar Patel played just two games out of the first seven. Clearly, the captain chose form over reputation and it also explained why the likes of David Miller and Mohit Sharma were not regulars in the playing XI, despite being committed to the franchise. Trusting young Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman to defend 17 runs against Delhi Daredevils in Delhi was perhaps, a masterstroke by Ashwin.
This story is from the June 2018 edition of Sports Illustrated India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2018 edition of Sports Illustrated India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Hockey World Cup- India Gears Up For Glory
Hosts India will have to play out of their skins to win their second Hockey Men’s World Cup title.
The Drive For Consistency
Find something you love doing and use that to fall in love with your body, so you can embrace change and sustain a pattern that lets you unlock the best version of yourself
The Phenomenon
Kevin Pietersen may have retired from playing, but he will remain a part of the game and Test cricket folklore for a long time
Powering The Action
The IPL is intense. Players let off the fireworks on the pitch, but it is the coaches and support staff that light the fuses. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED traces the evolution of this critical aspect of the game, and why Indians still need to make a mark
A Steep Learning Curve
Making the transition from the junior level to the senior team has been quite challenging but a hugely rewarding experience.
Scorecard - Don't Blame It on Rio
Apathy towards the Olympics could cast golf in a negative light and jeo paradise its standing with the IOC for the 2024 Games and beyond.
Bench Strength
With the Likes of Nair, Yadav, Jadhav and Chahal Performing With Maturity Over the Past Year, Team India’s Bench Strength Looks Strong Ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Sir Roger Bannister (1929-2018)
A legend in his own time, Sir Roger was most proud of his neurology research but his historic sub-four mile run in 1954 is still regarded as one of his best breakthroughs
Battle Ready
A star-studded Indian contingent seeks to reshape its approach with rising talent, even as seasoned warriors in badminton, weight-lifting, shooting and wrestling aim for gold
Safe Passage
The Dustup That Marred the Return of Chris Paul to L.a. Has Faded. As the Point God Settles Into a New Home, He Has a New Running Buddy and a Group of Teammates Who Feel Like a Family
