Decoding Ravichandran Ashwin's dream campaign in TNPL 2024
Ravichandran Ashwin led from the front as Dindigul Dragons clinched their maiden Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) title. The Dragons clinched the 2024 event as Ashwin smoked fifties in all three knock-out games. He made a 46-ball 52 in the final against Lyca Kovai Kings. The veteran also did well in the bowling and leadership departments. Here we decode his campaign in TNPL 2024.
Three fifties on the trot
Batting at number three, Ashwin made a 35-ball 57 in the Eliminator as the Dragons chased down 159 against Chepauk Super Gillies. He opened in Qualifier 2 against IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans and scored an unbeaten 30-ball 69 as the Dragons (112/1) crossed the line in 10.5 overs. His 52 in the final came at number three as the Dragons accomplished the 130-run target.
Fifth-highest run-getter
As per ESPNcricinfo, Ashwin finished the tourney as the fifth-highest run-getter with 252 runs across 10 games at 36 (50s: 3). His strike rate of 151.80 was the highest among the eight batters with 230-plus runs. Ashwin smoked 21 fours and 17 maximums. Notably, no other skipper scored more runs than Ashwin as his decision to promote himself turned out to be a masterstroke.
Nine wickets with the ball
With the ball, Ashwin claimed nine wickets at 27.55. His economy of 6.92 was the fourth-best among bowlers with nine or more scalps. His best figures were 3/18. Lyca Kovai Kings' M Shahrukh Khan (225 runs and 13 wickets) is the only other all-rounder with the double of 200 runs and eight wickets this year.
Should Ashwin return to India's white-ball sides?
Ashwin, who has been India's Test specialist in recent years, last played an ODI in the 2023 World Cup last year. Meanwhile, his last T20I appearance came in November 2022. Though several prominent spinning all-rounders like Washington Sundar and Axar Patel have emerged in recent years, the selectors can give Ashwin another chance due to his experience.
