MS Dhoni is the world's coolest captain, says Ankit Rajpoot

Indian pacer Ankit Rajpoot is gearing up the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League. Rajpoot will be plying his trade for the Kings XI Punjab this season. Playing for the same franchise last year, he had scalped 11 wickets in 8 matches, including a 5-wicket haul. This season he is optimistic about his team doing well, and recently reflected back at how things have panned out for him in the IPL thus far.

Prior to this, Ankit played for the Chennai Super Kings and the Kolkata Knight Riders. He that the leadership at the three camps has been totally different. He hailed MS Dhoni as the coolest captain and Gautam Gambhir as a very aggressive leader. However, he saved the best piece for his current skipper at KXIP, Ravichandran Ashwin. Rajpoot cheekily remarked that having a bowler as a captain is always nice as they can be more empathetic towards them.

“The three are totally different captains and can’t be compared to anyone. Dhoni is the world’s coolest captain. Gauti bhai has an attacking-style of captaincy. Ashwin is a bowlers’ man. The best part is that bowlers get a lot of help from him. The three captains have different thinking but the execution is same. They are all amazing leaders,” Rajpoot was quoted as saying on TOI.

“A captain who is a bower will always be there to sympathise with you when you are being sent to cleaners. Honestly, I got a lot of help from him. Ashwin bhai has played a lot of cricket and has a lot of experience. He understands the mentality of a bowler. If you request him for something (regarding field setting), he will understand you immediately,” the 25-year-old remarked cheekily.

Good memories, and the times ahead

Speaking further, he recalled how his maiden IPL wicket gave him immense confidence. The moment had arrived in IPL 2013 when he had dismissed the then Mumbai Indians opener Ricky Ponting. He played for CSK that season.

“I could play just 9 matches in two years at KKR but I learnt a lot there. At KXIP, I got a lot of matches to play. Whatever I learnt at KKR, I executed at KXIP. It (Ricky Ponting’s wicket) was a big wicket. I still feel proud that I dismissed a big player like Ponting,” the pacer said.

Commenting on his plans for IPL 2019, Rajpoot noted that he is feeling good after a decent run in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Also, he feels that KXIP will break their title jinx this season. He is looking forward to the prospect of bowling in tandem with Mohammed Shami in the tournament this year.

“Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy was a kind of preparation for me ahead of the IPL. It was the best platform to get into the IPL groove. I want to carry on the same show in IPL too. I will go in with the same strategy,” he conceded.

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