BGT 2024-25: Any regret for not captaining India? Ravichandran Ashwin answers!
Xtra Time Web Desk: Recently retired, R Ashwin has addressed whether he regrets not captaining India. The veteran off-spinner stated that he has no regrets about his career, including missing the opportunity to lead the senior men’s national team. However, Ashwin admitted that he was capable of handling the responsibility and would have enjoyed the role if given the chance.
Ashwin has prior leadership experience, having captained his state team in age-group cricket and at the first-class level. He also led Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for two seasons—2018 and 2019—but never got the opportunity to captain India in Test cricket.
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"It's interesting. I am smart enough to know what works for me and what doesn't for another person. When I started my career, I got first-class captaincy very early. I have won a few tournaments for my team. I believe I had it in me. But I did not have any regret that I didn't go on to lead my country because these are not things that I can control," Ashwin told Sky Sports.
"I have realised somebody needs to feel that I am good enough to lead the team, I need to get another 15-20 people to come along with me for me to be able to lead the team. It wasn't meant for me in this particular chapter of my life."
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"I don't think this office or corporate felt I was good enough to lead the team. That doesn't mean I am not good enough for leadership. Leadership, you don't need a title to do that because, within me, I was a great leader in that group to be able to contribute to other people's success. I looked out for zones of contribution. I did it to the best of my ability," he added.
"I do not have regrets, but I do think it would have been something I would have enjoyed," Ashwin concluded.
While Ashwin may not have led the national side, he will be back in action for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2025.
