But, the franchise could be in for a pleasant surprise during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 as the 33-year-old is keen to deliver on the batting front too. Ashwin, who shifted his allegiance after a couple of seasons with Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), has been putting in the hard yards at the ICC Academy in Dubai – Delhi’s training base.

“In the shortest format of the game, it is harder to be a bowler and easier to be a batter. My job will be to come in at No.7 or 8. I will get about five or six balls at best. Sometimes, I won’t even get that. When I was at Kings XI for the last two years, I understood these roles better. And, I played a few handy knocks,” said Ashwin in a release shared by Capitals.

“I look forward to contributing more than what I did in the past. Bowling is something I enjoy despite people going after me. I don’t mind going for runs. It is the challenge that I love,” added the Tamil Nadu stalwart. Although new to the Delhi set-up, off-spinner Ashwin has quickly established a good rapport with head coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer.

“I have had some wonderful conversations with Ponting over the last week or so. Iyer is a lovely leader and is young. I have had a couple of chats with him as well. He is very clear in his head about what he wants to do,” said the former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player.

Prior to the commencement of training sessions, DC, like every other IPL franchise, had to undergo six days of quarantine. Experienced campaigner Ashwin stressed that every member of the Delhi contingent was disciplined despite being locked up within four walls.

“I didn’t hear any noise in the hotel lobby or on the corridor. It showed how much we wanted to go out there and play together. The players are in high spirits. I can see that people are genuinely relishing the opportunity to be with each other,” he stated.

With the eight-team competition just a few weeks away, Ashwin can’t wait for the action to begin. “Everyone expected IPL to take place four months back. But, it didn’t. It looked like there wouldn’t be any cricket at all. However, I don’t have any complaints now,” said Ashwin.