Ravichandran Ashwin set to captain Dindigul Dragons in TNPL 2018

Veteran Indian spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, has been named as the captain of the Dindigul Dragons for the upcoming edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). The announcement came on the day when the drafts for the TNPL 2018 were named. It is worth noting that the franchise has another captain in their scheme of things as well. This is because Ashwin is not expected to play the entire season of the league.

TNPL 2018 kicks off on July 11 and the tournament will clash with the dates of India’s tour of England. Ashwin is very much in the frame to be named in the Indian squad for the tour. India’s limited-overs assignment on the England tour ends on July 17. After the conclusion of the first leg, the Test squad will start their preparations and Ashwin will head England leaving the TNPL action midway.

In his absence, N Jagadeesan will be leading the Dindigul Dragons. Jagadeesan is one of the most popular products of the TNPL. Currently, he is plying his trade for the Tamil Nadu side in the Indian domestic circuit. The pace bowler has played 9 First Class, 10 List A, and 13 T20s in his short career thus far. This year, he was a part of the Chennai Super Kings roster in the IPL 2018.

Commenting further on the appointment of Ashwin as the captain, it is indeed a bold move by the Dragons. The Dragons had the option of leaving the off-spinner out of the drafts knowing that he will not be available for the entire duration of the tournament. Interestingly, even last season the 31-year-old could not play a single game for the Dragons owing to his international assignments.

Other Team India players in frame

Meanwhile, other Team India players have also been picked in the drafts. Veteran cricketer Dinesh Karthik has been picked up by Karaikudi Kaalai at the auctions. Young all-rounder Washington Sundar has been roped in by the Tuti Patriots. Both Karthik and Sundar are a part of the Indian squad that will play the limited-overs series in England.

Both these gentlemen will miss the first week of the TNPL 2018. While Sundar is expected to play in the second week of TNPL, the participation of Karthik remains undecided. There are chances that Karthik could be called in as the keeper in the Test squad ahead of Parthiv Patel and Wriddhiman Saha considering his recent form.

For the latest cricket news, follow CricTracker.