Ashwin Venkatraman to captain Dindigul Dragon in TNPL, takes over from Ravi Ashwin

Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) franchise Dindigul Dragons replaced their captain Ravichandran Ashwin, who is a part of India’s tour to Sri Lanka starting 26 July, with Ashwin Venkatraman. Venkatraman is a part of Tamil Nadu Senior Division Club Alwarpet CC in the TNCA senior division league. Also, he was named as the captain of the Dindigul Dragons in the league.

Ravichandran Ashwin pulled out of the Indian Premier League due to sports a hernia but was fine and moving ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. He took part in following West Indies tour as well. Ashwin was part of the Grand Home Season of Indian Cricket which comprised of 13 hard fought Test matches against quality sides like Australia, England, New Zealand and Bangladesh. India managed to remain unbeaten throughout and clinched all four series.

Ashwin made the Test season his own as he held the reputation of single-handedly running through the opposition on his own. He became the highest wicket taker in a season. Ashwin currently is second in the list of ICC Test rankings, only behind Ravindra Jadeja, who himself covered up for Ashwin during the latter end of the season, by running through sides at a brisk pace.

Ashwin to miss out this TNPL due to national duties

In between these Test series, India hosted England and New Zealand in coloured clothing, and India went on to win those contests by defeating New Zealand and England in ODI Series and T2oIs. Jadeja and Ashwin also played their part during the matches. However, in recent history, their strategies in limited over format has been questioned. In the last few matches, the Spin Twin of Indian Cricket have been expensive and as good as wicketless.

One of the reasons for India not winning the Champions Trophy was that the inability to pick wickets in the middle overs, which Jadeja and Ashwin were masters at. However, it would be interesting to see how Venkatraman fills the big shoes of Ravichandran Ashwin for the Dindigul Dragons.