‘I am indebted to Dhoni for the rest of my life for what he gave me’: Ravichandran Ashwin expresses gratitude

Ravichandaran Ashwin, overcome with emotion and gratitude for being feted for reaching the 500-wicket mark in Tests, recalled the one man he would forever be “indebted to” for showing faith in a “nobody” 13 years ago: his first IPL and India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Ashwin is a real superstar in Indian cricket, with 516 scalps in 100 Tests, behind just the legendary Anil Kumble on the list of best Indian wicket-takers in the five-day format.

However, this was not the case when he was signed by the Chennai Super Kings as a local spinner in 2008. He did not play a game that year because the famous Muttiah Muralitharan spearheaded the spin onslaught.
Dhoni sent the new ball to Ashwin in the 2011 IPL final against Royal Challengers Bangalore, and the then-rookie off-spinner struck with the fourth delivery, removing an in-form Chris Gayle.

The same year, he made his India debut under Dhoni and was named player of the match in a game against the West Indies in Delhi.

“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,” said Ashwin.

“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,” he fondly recalled.

That amazing Chepauk night for Chennai Super Kings was only the beginning for Ashwin; with various current and past players paying homage to him, Ashwin was understandably thrilled.

“I don’t generally search for words to express how I feel. I am truly humbled and grateful to be here,” he mentioned.

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