Thank you, MS Dhoni, for getting me back to CSK: Ashwin

File photo of Ravichandran Ashwin, left, and MS Dhoni (Photo Credit: X)

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‘Wanted my 100th Test to be my last’

India's former ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has seen it all – multiple Indian Premier League IPL ) teams, the growing corporatisation of the league, and the evolution of franchises. Yet, as he returned to the Chennai Super Kings ( CSK ) camp after nearly a decade, one thing stood out: the unchanged atmosphere of the team itself.“It feels like it’s 2011 again,” said Ashwin, who was felicitated by Krishnamachari Srikkanth on Sunday at the book launch of ‘Leo – The Untold Story of CSK’, written by PS Raman.Ashwin made his IPL debut in 2009 with CSK and was part of the team’s title-winning campaigns in 2010 and 2011. After stints with franchises like Punjab Kings, Rising Pune Supergiants (now defunct), Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals, the 38-year-old Tamil Nadu cricketer is back home at CSK for his 16th IPL season.“It was nice to go around and get a flavour of what it is like everywhere. You learn a lot, but one thing that really stands out is that CSK has remained a team that’s evolved, yet at the same time, remained an archive,” Ashwin said.“Today, in the world of cricket corporatisation, there’s nobody who runs a business to make a loss – I understand that. But things have evolved, and teams have changed so much. Coming here (to CSK) again, I realise it hasn’t changed one bit since I left in 2015. The fact is, it is organically cricket. The best way to run a cricket team and achieve success is to keep it cricket-oriented,” he added.For Ashwin, his comeback to CSK is not about returning as a seasoned star, but as someone who wants to “enjoy” playing cricket again.“Destinations are not reached just like that; you need to go through milestones. My comeback to CSK is not as the person who’s achieved all those things, but as someone who’s gone through the entire circle and wants to come back and enjoy the same moment, I experienced all those years ago. It’s a wonderful place to be,” Ashwin said.At the book launch event, CSK legend MS Dhoni was also present, and Ashwin couldn’t help but reflect on the special bond that he shares with the former captain.Recalling a moment from his 100th Test, Ashwin spoke of inviting Dhoni to hand over the memento during the match in Dharamshala (in March last year against England), a moment he had hoped would mark his final appearance in Test cricket.“I invited MS for my 100th Test to hand over the memento. I wanted to make that my last Test. Unfortunately, he couldn’t come, but I didn’t think you’d hand over the gift of getting me back to CSK. It’s a much better one, so thank you MS,” Ashwin said.

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