Ashwin will captain and mentor Dublin Guardians in ETPL 2026, franchise owned by Rahul Dravid.
R. Ashwin, former India spinner, was recently unveiled as the captain and mentor of the Dublin Guardians franchise in the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL 2026). The franchise is owned by former India captain and head coach Rahul Dravid.
Ashwin has also stated that Dravid has entrusted him with complete control over the cricketing affairs of the team and clarified that he doesn’t want to be involved in any cricketing decisions in ETPL 2026.
Speaking after the ETPL 2026 Player Draft on Thursday, Ashwin stated that the duty for creating the squad and crafting the team's strategy rests completely with him as the franchise's captain and mentor.
According to Ashwin, Dravid trusted the former India spinner to steer the team's course and had stated his goals well from the beginning.
"I think freedom is very important for people to be able to run a cricket team on the field. And I don't think we have had too many issues at all so far. Rahul has been very clear that he doesn't want to be involved as much in cricketing decisions. Which is why I am at the center of it. I will be taking responsibility for it, and I also have to construct the team,” Ashwin said in a media interaction following the conclusion of the ETPL 2026 Player Draft.
Ashwin said he and Dravid both want to help put the ETPL on a solid foundation, but he also noted that managing a team in a new competition poses unfamiliar problems.
"And like everybody else on this call and those who were available on this draft, it is new territory for all of us. We are looking forward to it and, hopefully, in the long run, making a difference. And Rahul and I both will have our sincere stamp on whatever we do in this tournament,” he added.
Ashwin also explained his decision to take on the combined responsibilities of mentor and captain, stating that it represents the path he wants his career to take as he moves toward coaching and leadership positions.
“I think I'm at that stage of my career where I'd like to contribute more than just being a player. And for whatever it is, whatever it is worth, even if it's a straight-run league, I've been a coach-cum-captain for the last couple of years that I've played my cricket there.
So, it was just a straight connection. And Rahul (Dravid) had seen me do the job. And he understands what I do back home for club cricket. So, I think he was pretty confident that I could do it. It's just a crossover into what I'd like to do next,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin also stated that he is confident he would be prepared for the competition and reaffirmed that the ETPL will mark his comeback to competitive cricket after knee surgery.
“It's also sort of a comeback for me after my knee surgery. So, it's taking a touch longer. But I'm assuming that by the time I get there to Malahide, I'll be good enough to go all guns blazing,” he stated.
(IANS inputs)