Ashwin hopeful of repaying CSG’s faith

"I'm looking forward to teaming up with coach Hemang Badani. I had the experience of playing against him in the TNCA first division. But I never got the chance to play with him or under him. I'm sure with him as the coach, I will get to learn and improve," said the leg-spinner.

Having represented Dindigul Dragons in the first two seasons with limited success, Ashwin is proud to be part of a franchise that boasts of an excellent track-record. "I'm pleased that a successful team like CSG thought I could be a value addition and continue its rich legacy. I'm confident that I will repay the faith," added the 27-year-old. 

One factor that could have worked in his favour was the absence of a leg-spinner in its squad. CSG too seems to have bought into the latest trend of possessing a wrist spinner and Ashwin can’t wait to justify his team’s judgement in picking him. "Wrist spinners are performing creditably, and our job is to contain as well as take wickets. In the first two seasons, CSG had a couple of left-arm spinners. Maybe they thought I would bring a new dimension to the attack. And if you see wrist spinners are in growing demand the world over," highlighted Ashwin, who played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL this season.

Despite a wealth of talent and a bagful of tricks up the sleeve of his puny frame, Ashwin’s domestic career hasn’t quite taken off in the way he would have wished with him playing his last first-class match nearly six years ago. Having had enough of living in a dormant state, Ashwin is intent on using his stint with CSG to get his career up and running. “I’m at the phase of my career where every notable performance will help me in getting my place back in the state team. I hope I can use all my IPL experience to good use for my new team,” remarked a man who wants to hoist himself into the realm of visibility.