MS Dhoni has played a critical part in my innovative thinking: Ravi Ashwin

Ravi Ashwin has been praised by many for his excellent captaincy while playing for the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) this season. Few of his decisions have been spot on and that has certainly played a role in a few of KXIP’s wins. However, when it comes to bowling, the off-spinner has been at the receiving end of all the criticism for trying too many variations. Ashwin has tried quite a few different deliveries even this season and has done decently.

He has accounted for 14 scalps so far in 12 matches and is the second highest wicket-taker for his team only behind Mohammed Shami. Despite being criticised for trying his variations too often, Ashwin is not too fussed. He feels MS Dhoni has played a crucial role in his thinking who always backed him for being innovative. Ashwin, until 2016, played only under Dhoni in the IPL for CSK and now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant.

One would rather say that Ravi Ashwin’s career blossomed under MS Dhoni itself who supported him in the international circuit as well and the off-spinner is still the best bowler for India in Tests.

MS feels that is my strength

“In one way or the other, MS Dhoni has played a critical part in (developing) that thinking of mine because I have taken lot of flak from a lot of experts and cricketers for being a little too innovative, trying to do a lot of things and trying new things,’ Ashwin said while speaking to Hindustan Times.

The 32-year-old also informed that Dhoni used to feel that being innovative is the former’s strength and that led to Ashwin getting eve more confident. “As a cricketer, I have also gone through the phase of trying to be rudimentary, bowling the stock balls. MS has always maintained that my strength has been being innovative, being the person who always reinvents the wheel and that has stuck in my head,” Ashwin further added.

When asked who is the best spinner in the ongoing IPL season so far, the KXIP skipper smartly went on to say that he will assess others when he becomes the expert and gets paid for the job. “Once I have become an expert and I am paid for it, I would do that job (assess other spinners). But right now, I would like to think that I am right up there and I have been for a long time now,” Ashwin signed off.

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