IPL 2018: Twitterati welcomes Ravi Ashwin as the captain of Kings XI Punjab

After retaining a single player in all-rounder Axar Patel during the retentions, Kings XI Punjab went in all guns blazing fashion during the 2018 auction to pick out the best possible combination for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).  The franchise owners and staff present at the event were quite successful at their given hand and selected some of the great players in the shortest format of the game who will be playing for the Kings in the eleventh edition of the IPL.

However, after having let go off their Australian hard-hitting batsman Glenn Maxwell who was their skipper in the previous season, they were yet to appoint a suitable candidate for the skipper’s role. After a long anticipation, Kings XI Punjab finally announced veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as their skipper for IPL 2018.

Ashwin to lead an IPL franchise for the first time

Ashwin was bought by the franchise for a whopping rate of INR 7.60 crores in the auction. In the past editions of the global tournament, the spinner has represented Chennai Super Kings and after its suspension, he played for the Rising Pune Supergiants in the last two editions of the IPL. India’s premier spinner currently in the longest format of the game is however yet to lead the banter as a captain for any IPL franchise. But the cricketer has captained the Tamil Nadu state team several times in various domestic competitions.

Challenges ahead for Ashwin

It will surely be a challenging and brand-new role in the Twenty20 league for the off-spinner, who would now be leading some of the great international cricketers like Australian Aaron Finch, Windies Chris Gayle, the Indian duo of Yuvraj Singh and KL Rahul and some other big players who are part of his side this year. At the same time, Ashwin would also be hoping to have a stunning run in the upcoming season, so as to seek his return back into the national limited overs team.

All the Kings XI Punjab fans and the other lovers of the game congratulated the veteran Indian cricketer for the captaincy role with some remarkable tweets on Twitter.

Talking of taking up new challenges and roles ,couldn’t have happened at a better time for @ashwinravi99 ,move in the right direction for @lionsdenkxip #IPL2018 #KingOfTheNorth @StarSportsIndia

— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) February 27, 2018

@ashwinravi99 @prithinarayanan I hear a very good news.Look forward seeing a new leader in IPL with fresh thoughts and ideas..Exciting times..Well done Ashwin !

— Gautam Bhattacharya (@gbsaltlake) February 26, 2018

Congratulations @ashwinravi99. Looking forward to an exciting season at @lionsdenkxip ? https://t.co/sPDGgtEzYF

— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) February 26, 2018

Congrats & good luck @Ashwinravi99

— Mujeeb Zadran (@Mujeeb_Zadran) February 26, 2018

Couldn’t think of a better person for the job of @lionsdenkxip captain, congrats @ashwinravi99! Can’t wait to get over there and get stuck in

— Andrew Tye (@aj191) February 26, 2018

Looking forward to the new #IPL season under our new skipper @ashwinravi99.. Congratulations and Good luck Ash.. ✌️ @lionsdenkxip https://t.co/33ExvjM5cf

— Akshar patel (@akshar2026) February 26, 2018

@ashwinravi99 congrats, keep rocking.

— Radikaa Sarathkumar (@realradikaa) February 26, 2018

A true leader who will get his chance to embark on a new chapter for the @lionsdenkxip. Congratulations @ashwinravi99 look forward to a great partnership

— Brad Hodge (@bradhodge007) February 26, 2018

Looking forward to @ashwinravi99 leading the way for @lionsdenkxip in the @IPL this year. Going to be great fun.????‍♀️#KingOfNorth #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi https://t.co/ZkurDRPN8P

— K L Rahul (@klrahul11) February 26, 2018

Welcome Skipper! @ashwinravi99 Looking forward to an exciting season ahead. It’ll be wonderful to see you don the captains guard for @lionsdenkxip this IPL. Cheers? #KingOfTheNorth #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi https://t.co/f8HFKU6oTb

— Karun Nair (@karun126) February 26, 2018

Very excited to be playing under @ashwinravi99 in the IPL this season! Can’t wait to get started with @lionsdenkxip

— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) February 26, 2018

@ashwinravi99 named captain of Kings XI.. The word Kings is part of the team name..I suppose all concerned have achieved their objectives..??? all the best skipper..

— wv raman (@wvraman) February 26, 2018

Not surprised @lionsdenkxip have gone in for @ashwinravi99 as their captain. Top cricketer, sharp cricketing mind, expresses himself well, never afraid to try new things – critical qualities for a good captain. Congrats on being rewarded for what you are Ashwin ?

— RK (@RK_sports) February 26, 2018