Ravichandran Ashwin, Rajasthan’s Mr.Utility: IPL 2022

Ravichandran Ashwin has always shown the potential to be a capable batter. He has a five Test centuries and his strong wrist movement has helped him score some crucial runs for India down the order. At one stage, his batting was so reliable that Ashwin used to walk in at number six, before Saha and Jadeja. Although his batting form dipped in between, Ravichandran Ashwin managed to stage a revival after the Sydney Test in 2021, and is now making a huge mark in the IPL.

Taking the new ball, bowling at the death, bowling to right-handers and learning leg-spin. Ravichandran Ashwin is ready for any challenge with the ball. He can be both economical and deceptive enough to take some key wickets.

With the bat this season, Ravichandran Ashwin has been prepared to play a new role. On a number of occasions, Ashwin has walked out at number three this season. With a batting line-up that isnt so deep, Ashwin’s promotion helps Rajasthan extend their batting line-up. His solid technique further helps Rajasthan build some stability up front, while he can also find some quick runs when needed with his unorthodox strokes.

Along with batting at number three though, Ashwin is playing a few other roles with the bat. With four number elevens in the batting line-up, he has taken up the job of playing out a few overs and then retiring out when necessary to allow the likes of Parag to have a go.

As a batter, with the pitches slowing down, Ravichandran Ashwin has been a little more experimental as well. Facing the Delhi Capitals, Ravichandran Ashwin changed his stance, crouching lower, allowing him to clear the infield with a little more ease.  His slog sweep has also improved as Ashwin picked up some crucial runs against the Chennai Super Kings with the same shot.

His knock against the Chennai Super Kings helped bring out a new use to his talent. With RR losing a few quick wickets, Ashwin was promoted as the run-rate was climbing. The move was questionable, and on-air comments were already talking about how the move seemed a little puzzling. He saw Shimron Hetmyer hole out, and with the a string of bowler after him, Ashwin had to attack a little more watchfully.

He handled the situation like a champion, guiding the ball through the gaps, taking the game deep and clearing the fence at crucial stages of the innings. He hit three sixes in his innings, all at different stages and helped release the pressure as RR went on to seal the chase, thanks to Ashwin’s newly discovered finishing abilities.

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While Ashwin the finisher helped chase down the target, it was Ashwin the bowler who helped set the game up. With Moeen Ali on a rampage, Ashwin managed to plug the brakes a touch by dismissing his partner, Devon Conway. The dismissal worked well as CSK went on to lose quick wickets and momentum as well.

He proved through both his batting and bowling that he is a talented and smart player. His cricketing smarts have made him a very successful asset, as it helped RR seal a top-two spot as well. Now, with Ravichandran Ashwin firing with the bat, in multiple aspects, he will be a weapon to look out for as the Rajasthan Royals get ready to play the Gujarat Titans.