The Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is currently touted as one of the best spinners of the present times and his statistics certainly prove this statement correct.
The cricketer who played for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket and for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL made his debut in the league with Chennai Super Kings in 2010 under the captaincy of MS Dhoni and on the basis of his superb performances in the IPL, he was inducted into the Indian team in June 2010.
Recently during an interview, Ravichandran Ashwin talked about his journey and he also revealed how he managed to get the attention of MS Dhoni. Talking about his relationship with Mahi, Ashwin said that it was an evolving relationship as till 2008, MS Dhoni didn’t even know that a bowler named Ashwin exists.
R Ashwin said that in order to grab MSD’s attention, in 2009, the Indian spinner made a goal that he has to take Dhoni’s wicket. He added that when someone keeps a goal like this, he goes crazy when he gets an opportunity to do so.
Ashwin then talked about the Challengers Trophy final which was played in Nagpur and Ashwin not only troubled MSD but also got him out and this is how he was able to grab the attention of Thala and then he was bought by CSK for the IPL 2010.
Ashwin says that MS Dhoni will not use a horse (player) for race until and unless he is sure that the horse is ready but once he is sure that the horse is ready for race, he will back the horse completely.
Though Ravichandran Ashwin was a part of the 2011 World Cup winning squad, he wasn’t able to contribute enough in the tournament but neither the coach Gary Kirsten nor the skipper MS Dhoni or the team made him feel unwanted.
R Ashwin stated that Gary called him after winning the WC and said to him that they were not able to do justice to his talent despite the fact that he waited for two years. R Ashwin said that Gary ensured him that he (Ashwin) would achieve greater things in his career but sadly he (Gary) would not be a part of his journey.
Ravichandran Ashwin laughingly stated that Gary Kirsten retired in front of him first and then he retired officially, Ashwin called Gary a man of few words and an outstanding person.
That is really interesting to know, isn’t it?