IPL 2018: Ravichandran Ashwin named captain of Kings XI Punjab, preferred over Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle

Senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been named captain of the Indian Premier League (IPL) side Kings XI Punjab, which also has Yuvraj Singh and Chris Gayle in their ranks. [caption id=“attachment_4360357” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Ravichandran Ashwin. Reuters[/caption] Ashwin has two IPL titles during his eight-year stint with Chennai Super Kings and has also played for Rising Pune Supergiant. “I feel honoured to be trusted with the responsibility of leading such a talented bunch of cricketers. I am confident of bringing out the best out of teammates. This is indeed a proud moment for me,” said Ashwin, who is currently out-of-favour in India’s One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 (T20) scheme of things. The off-spinner said captaincy pressure won’t affect his performance. “There is no additional pressure on me as such. I first led my state side in first class cricket when I was 21. I have done it in the past and I am sure that I will enjoy the challenge,” Ashwin, a veteran of 311 Test wickets, added. Kings XI Punjab took to Twitter to make the announcement.

Ashwin played his last T20 for India seven months back in July, 2017 against the West Indies and last ODI against the same opponents last June.