Leader Online Desk : R Ashwin on MS Dhoni : Just a few days left for the start of IPL 2024. Before that, Rajasthan Royals star offspinner R. Ashwin has heaped praise on Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni. He said, 'Dhoni's role in the development of my cricket career is huge. I will forever be indebted to him for what he has done for me.'
Ashwin reached the milestone of 500 Test wickets and 100 matches in the recent series against England. The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) recently felicitated him with an award of Rs 1 crore for this dual achievement. Speaking at the event, Ashwin expressed respect for Dhoni.
Credit given to Dhoni (R Ashwin on MS Dhoni)
Ashwin said, first met MS Dhoni, Mathew Hayden in Chennai Super Kings dressing room in 2008 IPL. Actually I was nothing then. Legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was in that team. So it was not possible for me to get a chance to play in the playing eleven. But in the 2011 IPL final, Dhoni actually handed me the new ball and asked me to bowl the first over. Chris Gayle was in front. Joe was in tremendous form. In such a situation, Dhoni showed faith in me. I jumped at that chance. My captain did not disappoint. When Gayle arrived, he stormed back and took the next three wickets. I will never forget that night and that final match. The reason for this is only Dhoni.'
It was only after the IPL 2011 final against Royal Challengers Bangalore that Ashwin's career took a new turn. Adept at out-of-the-box tactics, Dhoni handed the new ball to Ashwin in the 2011 IPL final. In that match, the emerging Ashwin sent the in-form Chris Gayle to the pavilion for a wicket off the fourth ball. Later in that match, Ashwin took three wickets and played an important role in CSK's IPL title. After that final, Ashwin went on to play 100 Test matches in Test cricket and took more than 500 wickets in a journey spanning more than a decade. Currently, 516 Test wickets have been registered to his name.
