Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin feels that he can play two or three leagues consecutively in a year. The 38-year-old legend said that he is open to taking up coaching roles if he is approached by any team. Ravichandran Ashwin is eligible now to play in the global T20 leagues after announcing his Indian Premier League retirement on Wednesday, August 27th.
The two time IPL winner revealed that there had been discussions around him taking up the role of a player cum coach during his time with the Rajasthan Royals. He also added that he had learnt a lot from essaying a similar role in the Tamil Nadu Premier League.
Ravichandran Ashwin on playing 2-3 leagues in a year.
Speaking on his You Tube platform Ash ki Baat, Ravichandran Ashwin said: “I feel I can play two or three leagues consecutively in a year. If franchises are open to offering me a coaching role, I am available to take up those roles as well. Like I told you, I am looking for work with work experience. You have to earn your stripes.”
He further added: “It is very tough to get a mindset like that in India. When I was playing for the Rajasthan Royals, this topic was broached. We discussed whether I could become a coach and continue being a player for the franchise. But the idea did not go anywhere. In India, exploring that option in the IPL is very difficult.”
He elaborated further: “But maybe in some other league, there might be coaches that I can learn from. I can contribute. I want to contribute. I have played the role of captain-cum-coach in the TNPL in the last two years. We did not have a coach, and I learned a lot from that stint. The players are not at the IPL level, so you get the chance to do more work.”
For the record, the all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin said on his English You Tube channel that he had registered for one of the overseas leagues days after he called it quits from the IPL.
Ravichandran Ashwin offers an insight into the type of coach he could become.
Ravichandran Ashwin also said that if he became the coach of any side, one of his philosophies would be to treat every player in the squad equally. He emphasised that coaching was and will always be a continuous learning process and one cannot have any likes or dislikes.
Speaking in the same video, Ravichandran Ashwin said: “I always believe that in order to acquire anything, you need to work hard in a structured manner. Coaching is not like working on one aspect and you succeeding. You have to try, you have to fail, but most importantly, you cannot have likes and dislikes in coaching.”
Ashwin further added: “Tomorrow. let’s say I coach in the Italy Premier League, I will enjoy coaching there because I will still be working in cricket. There might be differences in opinion among various stakeholders, but my role as coach is to treat all players equally. Treat them like any kids. I have a lot of belief in that.”
Ravichandran Ashwin enjoyed a successful stint in the IPL. He played 221 matches and took 187 wickets at an economy rate of 7.20. He also won two titles with Chennai Super Kings let’s not forget in 2010 and 2011.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Ashwin and what he wants to do with it by playing in various leagues across the world. He is keeping cards close to his chest. But we won’t be surprised, if he decides to play 2-3 leagues across the world and knowing Ashwin he will excel in it and do well. Let’s wish the legend all the best and hope he does well in the major leagues across the world.