Ravichandran Ashwin is set to begin a new chapter in his cricket career after taking up a captain-coach role with Dublin Guardians in the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL). The former India off-spinner described the opportunity as the next step following his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), saying the dual responsibility is a natural extension of the leadership roles he has handled in domestic cricket.
The Dublin franchise is owned by former India head coach Rahul Dravid who backed Ashwin for the position after seeing him successfully manage similar responsibilities in state cricket.
Ashwin guided Dindigul Dragons to their maiden Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) title in 2024 while serving as both captain and mentor. He has also captained teams in 28 IPL matches, giving him valuable leadership experience.
Speaking after the ETPL player draft, Ashwin said he has reached a stage in his career where he wants to contribute beyond just playing. He added that working as a coach-cum-captain in state cricket over the last few years made the transition to the new role a natural one. Ashwin also credited Rahul Dravid for trusting his ability to lead the team and said the opportunity fits with what he wants to do in the next phase of his career.
The veteran spinner further explained that regardless of whether he is a player, mentor or captain, his priority has always been to make decisions that benefit the team, even if those choices involve himself.
Ashwin also revealed that Rahul Dravid will stay away from cricket-related decisions despite owning the Dublin franchise. According to him, Dravid has made it clear that he does not want to interfere with on-field matters and has given him complete responsibility for building the squad and managing the team. Ashwin believes such freedom is essential for successfully running a cricket team.
Looking ahead, Ashwin said the European T20 Premier League can play an important role in developing associate nations before cricket returns to the Olympic Games. He believes overseas professionals will help local players gain valuable experience in high-pressure situations, while the growth of T20 leagues will continue to expand the sport’s global reach.
