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- Published: May 24, 2024 18:33
New Delhi: As Rajasthan Royals take on Sunrisers Hyderabad for the second qualifiers, Ravichandran Ashwin seems to enjoy the beautiful sojourn with Chepauk. The 37-year-old off-spinner seems positive as he remarks “I am going home…” with glee and a heartful smile.
“It’s a homecoming for Ashwin!” 💗 pic.twitter.com/F7J3j1kbcZ
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 24, 2024
Ravichandran Ashwin, who hails from Chennai, is returning to his home turf in a major knockout match after a long time. For Ashwin, Chepauk means everything, from when he started his cricketing journey to when he helped his previous franchise, Chennai Super Kings, win the 2011 IPL final with a spell of 3/16 against RCB.
Ravi Ashwin’s best spells in IPL knockouts:
4-0-14-1 (2010 Semis).
4-1-24-1 (2010 Final).
4-0-16-3 (2011 Final).
3-0-22-0 (2013 Final).
4-0-19-2 (2024 Eliminator).– A legendary record! 🤯💥 pic.twitter.com/bHxLcjwGKB
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 23, 2024
Now, as Ashwin takes the field again for Rajasthan Royals, he has become a vital part of the team again. The right-hand spinner who is reaching the twilight of his career has been one of the go-to bowlers for Sanju Samson, be it stopping the flow of runs or chipping in some useful wickets.
“Chennai is a very special place….”- the offie could turn out to be the trump card
Ravichandran Ashwin could turn out to be the trump card for RR given that SRH has an array of left-hand batsmen in their ranks. Furthermore, the Indian spinner said, “Chennai is a very special place. For anybody, there home is a special place and that’s one place where I have always done well…”
This year however, Ashwin has been a bit expensive due to an abdomen injury which has curtailed his bowling to a great deal. So far, Ravichandran Ashwin has played 14 games where he has taken 9 wickets at an economy of 8.31 which is not up to the mark compared to the capability of the right-hand spinner.
Krish Srikkanth ” RCB were posting unnecessary videos and showing off too much after the win against CSK. That’s why Ravi Ashwin came and destroyed them, that’s why in cricket you need to shut your mouth and play.”pic.twitter.com/hfUHAq8YbA
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) May 23, 2024
Ashwin has already shown his talent against RCB as he bamboozled one batsman after another with his variations- the slower off-break, the fast off-break and the drifter. As the IPL has hit the business end of the tournament, pitches have become trickier allowing the spinners to weave their web around. The question is does Ravichandran Ashwin have it within him to bring out some tricks up his sleeves?