MS Dhoni has played a critical part in my innovative thinking: Ravi Ashwin

The Kings XI Punjab captain Ravi Ashwin feels that MS Dhoni has played a crucial role in his “innovative thinking.”

Ashwin, who is known for experimenting a far too many was able to get a few decisions right while captaining his side.

Coming to his bowling, he hasn’t leaked many runs and has picked up 14 wickets so far in 12 matches and is the second highest wicket-taker for his team only behind Mohammed Shami.

Before he was picked by Punjab, Ashwin was one of the main cogs in Dhoni’s CSK. Ashwin says that playing under Dhoni has helped him.

Talking to a daily, he said: “In one way or the other, MS Dhoni has played a critical part in (developing) that thinking of mine because I have taken a lot of flak from a lot of experts and cricketers for being a little too innovative, trying to do a lot of things and trying new things.

As a cricketer, I have also gone through the phase of trying to be rudimentary, bowling the stock balls. MS has always maintained that my strength has been being innovative, being the person who always reinvents the wheel and that has stuck in my head.”

When asked who is the best spinner in the IPL, Ashwin said:
“Once I have become an expert and I am paid for it, I would do that job (assess other spinners). But right now, I would like to think that I am right up there and I have been for a long time now.”