"He Brought Me Back": Ravichandran Ashwin Recalls Key MS Dhoni Decision From IPL 2010

File image of Ravichandran Ashwin and MS Dhoni© NDTV Library

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has reflected on the role MS Dhoni played during the early stages of his career, revealing that the former India captain gave him complete freedom as a bowler and the confidence to trust his instincts. Ashwin said Dhoni allowed him to set his own fields and execute his plans without interference, giving him the freedom and opportunities needed to grow as a bowler. The veteran also recalled a key moment during the 2010 IPL season when Dhoni brought him back into the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) playing XI after he had been dropped earlier in the campaign. Ashwin credited the former India skipper for backing him and helping shape his development as a cricketer.

Speaking on a podcast with Aakash Chopra, Ashwin reflected on his early days at CSK and the role Dhoni played in his growth.

He revealed that he played the first three or four matches of the 2010 season under Dhoni before the captain suffered an injury. With Suresh Raina taking over the leadership duties, Ashwin found himself out of both the playing XI and the squad.

"In 2010, I played the first three or four games when Dhoni was captain. Then he got injured. Suresh became captain, and I was dropped from the team and the squad as well. Then Dhoni came back and brought me back into the side. He gave me the new ball as well. He would tell me before every game that he was giving me the new ball because he knew I would set my own field and bowl accordingly. Till the very end, in all the games I played under Dhoni, including for India, he never set the field for me. I would set it myself," Ashwin said.

Ashwin also shared an interesting story about how he secured his first IPL contract with CSK.

"I was a bit spunky and someone who wouldn't bow down. In 2008, I didn't get many opportunities. CSK had picked Muralitharan. There wasn't much of a trial culture back then. I called everywhere asking about trials, even RCB. But nothing happened, and all the contracts were done. Then there was a 50-over competition and we reached the final. I took six wickets and our team won. Cheeka Sir was the chief guest. I knew Anirudh, and he went and spoke to Cheeka. Kasi Sir was also there. Then Cheeka told me that I had a lot to learn at CSK. I was blank. He asked if they had picked me or not. Then he asked Kasi why they were not selecting good players and left. I got the CSK contract two days later," he recalled.

Ashwin went on to become a key part of Chennai Super Kings' success, helping the franchise win back-to-back IPL titles in 2010 and 2011. He finished his CSK career with 97 wickets in 106 matches.

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