3 teams that should look at Ravichandran Ashwin as their captain for IPL 2025 ft. RCB
Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently led the Dindigul Dragons (DD) to their maiden TNPL title. DD had finished fourth on the points table in the league phase and then went on a fine run winning the Eliminator, the Qualifier 2 and the final to clinch the title.
DD batter Baba Indrajith hailed Ashwin's contributions in getting the Dragons their maiden TNPL triumph and also revealed that the veteran off-spinner has a dream of winning an IPL trophy as captain.
Here's what Indrajith told Cricket.com:
"Of course, everyone will see him (Ashwin) as a captain, he has a very good cricketing brain. He’s always thinking of getting one up over the batter or the bowler. He has all the leadership qualities, I think he has the dream to win an IPL trophy as a captain, so why not."
On that note, let's take a look at three franchises that could take a punt on Ravichandran Ashwin as their captain for IPL 2025:
#3 Lucknow Super Giants
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) finished in the playoff spots on back-to-back occasions in IPL 2022 and 2023, bowing out in the Eliminator. However, the IPL 2024 season was a dampener for them as they finished in seventh position with 14 points.
They were handed a proper hammering by the SunRisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad and the animated discussion between LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka and skipper KL Rahul after the game made speculations rife that it could be Rahul's final season for LSG.
If that's indeed the case, Ravichandran Ashwin could do really well for LSG as captain. The pitch in Lucknow has historically suited the spinners as well and that fits well with Ashwin's primary skill.
#2 Punjab Kings
Ravichandran Ashwin has already led the Punjab Kings in both the IPL 2018 and 2019 seasons. On both occasions, Punjab missed out on the playoffs, finishing in seventh and sixth place respectively. However, his successful TNPL campaign could encourage PBKS to take a punt on him once again.
Ashwin knows how the franchise works and there would be an air of familiarity with his brand of cricket and captaincy. Also, the pitch in Mullanpur has provided grip and turn for the spinners, making it an intriguing prospect to have someone as experienced as Ashwin in the ranks. With Shikhar Dhawan not playing a major role last season, Punjab could look at Ashwin as a change of captain.
#1 Royal Challengers Bengaluru
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had a season of two halves in IPL 2024. They won their last six games on the bounce to make it to the playoffs. However, silverware eluded them once again as they bowed out in the Eliminator.
There was also a lot of chopping and changing done in the playing XI, one of the main reasons why they won just one of their first eight games. Faf du Plessis has already turned 40 and Bengaluru might hence be looking for a new captain next season.
RCB have struggled to find a quality spinner after Yuzvendra Chahal's departure and Ravichandran Ashwin could fit the bill with his defensive bowling skills at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Knowing how to inspire a team to their first title as he did with the Dindigul Dragons, Ravichandran Ashwin may not be a bad shout as RCB's next captain if the Rajasthan Royals do not retain him.