Dindigul Dragons captain R Ashwin talked about his exploits with the bat in the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL 2024) where his team will clash with Lyca Kovai Kings in the final on Sunday, August 4, 2024.

Ashwin, who represents the Dindigul Dragons, stressed his purposeful attempt to broaden his batting repertoire. Known for his spin magic, Ashwin has emerged as a batting force for Dindigul Dragons, finishing as the team's third-highest run scorer. His creative usage of reverse sweeps, particularly against left-arm spinners, has sparked interest.

In the Qualifier 2, against Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans at Chepauk on Friday, Ashwin dismantled left-arm finger spinners R Sai Kishore and S Ajith Ram with several reverse sweeps. He was particularly severe on Sai Kishore, scoring 28 off nine balls at a strike rate of over 300.

Overall, Ashwin has 200 runs in eight innings in this TNPL at a strike rate of 166.66, with five of those innings coming right at the top or at No. 3 for Dindigul Dragons.

"Everything is a work in progress, right? It's all about repetitions, and understanding angles and triggers. In the last IPL, I felt like I needed to widen my game and horizons square of the wicket because I know I can hit the ball down the ground, and I can use my feet," Ashwin stated in a pre-final press conference.

"Do I want to explore other options is something I had to ask myself. So, if I can ask that question and find an answer, it gives me a new avenue to explore and keep myself interested in the game," he added.

Ashwin's dedication to improving his batting technique is demonstrated by his emphasis on "understanding angles and triggers." He feels that practice and a thorough comprehension of these components are essential for consistent performance.

The TNPL final, scheduled for Sunday evening at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, promises a captivating clash.

(PTI inputs)