Ravichandran Ashwin Reflects on Leadership Lessons from IPL Tenure

In a recent interview, former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin shared valuable insights from his captaincy experiences with Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. He reflected on the challenges and lessons learned during his leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building and personal growth. Ashwin's journey highlights his contributions to the teams and his regrets over not securing a trophy with Rajasthan Royals. Discover how these experiences shaped his return to the Indian T20I team ahead of the World Cup.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 3, 2026, 18:24 IST

Insights from Ashwin's Captaincy Journey

Ravichandran Ashwin, the former Indian cricketer, recently shared his experiences regarding the significant lessons learned during his captaincy with Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He discussed these insights during an episode of 'The Ravichandran Ashwin Experience' on JioHotstar.

During his two seasons with PBKS, Ashwin led the team in 28 matches, achieving 12 victories and suffering 16 defeats. Although he did not manage to lead his team to the playoffs, he emphasized the valuable learning opportunities that arose from this experience as he advanced in his international career.

Reflections on Punjab Kings Captaincy

Ashwin expressed that his selection by Punjab in 2018 marked a pivotal moment in his career, as he felt ready to embrace a leadership role. Having been recognized as the ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2016, he sought personal growth. He recalled that during the 2014 season, he had received offers from other teams to lead, but he chose to join Punjab instead.

He acknowledged the challenges he faced in building a cohesive team, admitting that he struggled to make the team truly his own. However, he highlighted the importance of bringing in young talents like Prabhsimran Singh and Arshdeep Singh, who have since excelled with PBKS.

Growth Through Challenges

Reflecting on his time with Punjab, Ashwin noted that the experience made him stronger and more adept at relationship-building, a crucial skill for any leader. He stated, "I learned a lot about building relationships, something that is essential if you want to be a leader, a captain, or a coach. It is about making a player feel like a million dollars, and I learned that in Punjab."

Successful Stint with Rajasthan Royals

Ashwin's three-year tenure with Rajasthan Royals (RR) from 2022 to 2024 was instrumental in his return to the Indian T20I team ahead of the T20 World Cup. He praised RR for their effective utilization of his skills, describing it as 'first-class.' Despite enjoying his time there, he expressed regret over not winning a trophy with the franchise.

He shared, "Those three years at RR were special. My only small regret is that I could not win a title with RR. We reached a final and a Qualifier 2 but could not go all the way."

Performance Statistics

During his time with RR, Ashwin took 35 wickets across 45 matches, maintaining an average of 38.22, with his best bowling figures being 3/17. Additionally, he contributed with the bat, scoring 344 runs in 31 innings at an average of 18.10 and a strike rate exceeding 132, including one half-century.