Recently retired, R Ashwin has shared that he has no regrets about his career, including not getting the opportunity to captain the senior men’s national team. However, the veteran off-spinner added that he believed he was capable of leading the side and would have enjoyed the leadership if given the chance.

“It’s interesting. I am smart enough to know what works for me and what doesn’t for another person. When I started my career, I got first-class captaincy very early. I have won a few tournaments for my team. I believe I had it in me. But I did not have any regret that I didn’t go on to lead my country because these are not things that I can control,” Ashwin told Sky Sports Podcast.

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“I have realised somebody needs to feel that I am good enough to lead the team, I need to get another 15-20 people to come along with me for me to be able to lead the team. It wasn’t meant for me in this particular chapter of my life. I don’t think this office or corporate felt I was good enough to lead the team. That doesn’t mean I am not good enough for leadership. Leadership, you don’t need a title to do that because, within me, I was a great leader in that group to be able to contribute to other people’s success. I looked out for zones of contribution. I did it to the best of my ability. I do not have regrets, but I do think it would have been something I would have enjoyed,” he further added.

R Ashwin also led in the Tamil Nadu Premier League and led the Dindigul Dragons to a title win this season. While Ashwin has retired from international cricket, he will play in the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025. Ashwin was bought for Rs 9.75 crore by the CSK at the IPL mega auction in November. He is expected to play a key role in his homecoming to CSK as well.