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In the vibrant tapestry of Indian cricket, certain threads stand out for their brilliance and resilience. Ravichandran Ashwin is undeniably one such thread, weaving his magic with spin and guile, mesmerizing audiences worldwide. As he recently achieved remarkable milestones during the recently concluded Test series against England, the spotlight shone brightly on his accomplishments. Yet, amidst the celebrations and accolades, Ashwin expressed heartfelt gratitude towards his former captain, MS Dhoni, as he reminisced about the start of his journey.
Ashwin’s landmark achievements during the England series
Throughout the riveting contests against England, Ashwin carved his name deeper into cricketing folklore, notching up 500 Test wickets and gracing his 100th Test match with a stellar five-wicket haul. His mastery of spin reclaimed him the coveted spot of the top-ranked Test bowler, garnering admiration from fans and pundits alike.
The debt of gratitude: Ashwin’s emotional trip down the memory lane
In a poignant moment of reflection during a felicitation ceremony by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, Ashwin bared his soul, acknowledging the debt of gratitude he owes to Dhoni. Reflecting on his humble beginnings, Ashwin reminisced about the fateful year of 2008 when he encountered cricketing luminaries like Mathew Hayden and Dhoni in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) dressing room.
“In 2008 I met all the greats (in CSK dressing room) Mathew Hayden and MS Dhoni. I sat through (IPL) 2008. I was a nobody then, where am I to play in a team that had Muttiah Muralitharan,” reminisced Ashwin.
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Ashwin reveals why he will be indebted to MS Dhoni
Ashwin further added that although he felt like a novice and a mere bystander to greatness amidst legends like Muttiah Muralitharan, Dhoni saw beyond the facade of anonymity, extending to him a pivotal opportunity to wield the new ball against formidable adversaries like Chris Gayle that marked a new chapter in his career for which he will be forever indebted to the Jharkhand-born cricketer.
“I am indebted to Dhoni for the rest of my life for what he gave me. He gave me an opportunity with the new ball to go head on with Chris Gayle and 17 years later Anil bhai would be talking about the same episode,” said the star off-spinner.
The bond between Ashwin and Dhoni transcends the boundaries of cricketing partnerships. From their shared experiences in the Indian Premier League to their triumphant campaigns in the 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy, their journey is intertwined with triumphs and tribulations.
Ashwin and Dhoni set to meet in IPL 2024
As destiny would have it, the upcoming IPL season will once again witness the reunion of Ashwin and Dhoni on the cricket field. This time, however, they’ll find themselves on opposite sides of the pitch. Dhoni will helm the Chennai Super Kings while Ashwin takes charge of the spin department for the Rajasthan Royals.
