Veteran India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was roped in by Rajasthan Royals on day 1 of the IPL 2022 mega auction in Bengaluru. Ashwin will unite with England wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler, who was retained by the franchise ahead of the auction.
Incidentally, Ashwin and Buttler share a history that dates back to three years when the former mankaded the latter during a game between Kings XI Punjab (Punjab Kings) and Rajasthan Royals.
However, Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed that he has come past that incident and is looking forward to donning the Royals jersey and sharing the dressing room with the players.
“I got picked up by Rajasthan Royals, I am extremely delighted that they have picked me, they tried hard to pick me in the last auction in 2018 but it has come through finally. I have got a great rapport with all of them in that dugout, I have a wonderful rapport with Sanju Samson as well,” said Ashwin in a video posted on the official Twitter handle of Rajasthan Royals.
“I am looking forward to giving my complete best for the franchise and hopefully doing special things for them. Looking forward to bowling alongside Yuzvendra Chahal, looking forward to sharing a dressing room with Jos Buttler, how good is it gonna be,” he added.
🗣️ "𝐿𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑚 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝐽𝑜𝑠." 🤗#RoyalsFamily | #TATAIPLAuction | @ashwinravi99 pic.twitter.com/y8FbnmjWjy
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) February 12, 2022
“I am inside the crease” – Jos Buttler reacts to Ravichandran Ashwin
Jos Buttler welcomed veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin saying that he is ‘inside the crease’, adding that he, too, is raring to share the dressing room.
“Hey Ash, Jos here. Don’t worry, I am inside the crease. Can’t wait to see you in pink for the Royals. Look forward to sharing a dressing room with you. Halla Bol,” Jos Buttler said in the video message.
Rajasthan Royals have also roped in the services of Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Devdutt Padikkal to name a few.