Ashwin Expands His Game in TNPL
At 37, in his first full Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) season, R Ashwin is broadening his range as a batter. Traditionally known for finding boundaries down the ground, Ashwin has been refining his ability to play boundary shots square of the wicket. This skill enhancement was evident in the recent TNPL season.
Mastering New Techniques
In Qualifier 2 against Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans at Chepauk, Ashwin dominated left-arm fingerspinners R Sai Kishore and S Ajith Ram, employing a series of reverse sweeps. He particularly targeted Sai Kishore, scoring 28 off nine balls at a strike rate of over 300. Over the TNPL season, Ashwin has accumulated 200 runs in eight innings with a strike rate of 166.66, often batting at the top or No. 3 for Dindigul Dragons.
Continuous Improvement
Ashwin reflects on his journey: “Everything is a work in progress. You can even ask Shahrukh Khan about power-hitting techniques. It’s all about repetitions and understanding angles and triggers. In the last IPL, I felt the need to expand my game beyond hitting down the ground. Exploring other options keeps me interested in the game.”
Encouraging Young Talent
Dindigul’s rookie left-arm fingerspinner P Vignesh has shown remarkable accuracy and control in the TNPL, securing 3 for 8 in Qualifier 2 and earning the Player-of-the-Match award. Ashwin urges young cricketers to embrace setbacks and continuously upgrade their skills. “Missing the Under-19 cut is not the end of the world. Failure and success are normal, and improvement comes through failures. Tournaments like TNPL provide opportunities for young players to expand their game,” Ashwin said.
Shahrukh Khan’s Spin Improvement
Shahrukh Khan has been working on improving his game against spin. During his time with the Gujarat Titans, he focused on a technical tweak—a trigger movement that pushes his weight forward. This adjustment has helped him become a more well-rounded batter.
Overcoming Spin Challenges
Shahrukh’s overall strike rate against pace in the IPL is 161.11, but it falls to 112 against spin. However, in IPL 2024, he managed to increase his strike rate against spin to 168.75 while maintaining a high strike rate against pace. In a league phase game against Dindigul, Shahrukh scored an unbeaten 51 off 25 balls, taking on mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy and left-arm spinner Vignesh.
Focus on Team Performance
As Lyca Kovai Kings prepare for the TNPL final against Dindigul Dragons, Shahrukh emphasizes the importance of playing their best cricket. “We’re taking it as just another game. Despite the social media buzz about a hat-trick of titles, our focus is on playing our best cricket. We have only met our expectations in two games out of eight this season, and we aim to bring out our best in the final,” Shahrukh said.
In conclusion, both Ashwin and Shahrukh are examples of cricketers dedicated to continuous improvement and adapting their techniques to stay competitive in the game.(cricket betting tips)