MS Dhoni’s $1.5 million decision made up for ‘ruining’ R. Ashwin’s poetic test retirement

R. Ashwin revealed that MS Dhoni's gift of bringing him back to CSK in the IPL was more than what he had planned for his Test retirement.

MS Dhoni’s $1.5 million decision made up for ‘ruining’ R. Ashwin’s poetic test retirement

R.Ashwin on MS Dhoni (via Hindustan Times)

Indian spin bowling maestro Ravichandran Ashwin, who most recently retired from international cricket, revealed that he had invited former teammate MS Dhoni for his 100th Test match last year. However, the former Indian skipper hilariously ‘ruined’ his poetic retirement with a perfect gift.

R. Ashwin took cricket fans by surprise when he announced his retirement from international cricket in December last year. The 38-year-old off-spinner was a part of India’s 2011 ICC ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy winning teams. A red-ball legend, Ashwin ended his career after having featured in 106 Test matches. He scalped 537 wickets to become India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests.

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However, his retirement came amid surprising circumstances as he decided to pull down the curtains on his career midway through the Border-Gavaskar trophy. Ashwin announced his decision at the end of the 2nd Test against Australia. The BCCI honored the 38-year-old’s achievements at a special ceremony recently. He was praised by his admirers while the BCCI presented him with a congratulatory memento.

However, Ashwin admitted that it would have been more special had he received the honor from his former India teammate MS Dhoni. At a recent event in Chennai, R. Ashwin went on to reveal that he had invited Dhoni to his 100th Test match in Dharamshala, hoping to retire then. Ashwin’s 100th Test was against England, where he went on to win the Player of the Match award for his nine-wicket haul.

MS Dhoni, to his utter disappointment, could not show up, as the 38-year-old played on for a year. However, Ashwin added that his dear friend and former teammate had a special gift of getting him back at Chennai Super Kings, which he exclaimed was a better one. He will be featuring for CSK in the IPL this summer after the franchise decided to spend a whopping price of INR 9.75 crores to acquire him.

I called MS Dhoni for my 100th Test. I wanted to make that my last Test. But he couldnโ€™t make it. However, I didnโ€™t think he would give me the gift of getting me back to CSK. Itโ€™s a much better one.

R. Ashwin on MS Dhoni (H/T FirstPost)

Moreover, it would surely mark a dream-like homecoming for the 38-year-old spinner, who had started out his IPL journey with the Yellow Army. He will return to the side following an eight-year-long gap, where he played for Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals.

R. Ashwin reflects on his first CSK season ahead of much-awaited Chepauk return

R. Ashwin is set to make his much-awaited return to the Chepauk, when he will don the Chennai Super Kings colors for the upcoming IPL season. Ashwin will return to CSK after nine long years, having last played for the Yellow Army back in 2015, before its suspension.

R. Ashwin first IPL season
R.Ashwin recalled his maiden IPL season, ahead of his much-awaited CSK return. (via Outlook)

Ahead of the start of the IPL next week, Ashwin recalled his maiden season with CSK, back in 2008. The 38-year-old spoke about his meeting with all the greats in the CSK dressing room, including skipper MS Dhoni, Matthew Hayden, and Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan. Moreover, he added that he would remain indebted for Dhoni to have provided him with the opportunity and confidence to play on.

Ashwin exclaimed that his return to CSK this season marks the end of a full circle, coming back to where he started out from. While calling it a ‘wonderful place,’ the veteran Indian bowler stated that he wants to enjoy playing the game after having retired from international cricket. This season, unlike before, Ashwin would be playing under the captaincy of youngster Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has led the side since 2024.

In 2008 I met all the greats, Mathew Hayden and MS Dhoni… I was a nobody then, where am I to play in a team that had Muttiah Muralitharan. I am indebted to Dhoni for the rest of my life for what he gave me.

R. Ashwin on his maiden IPL season (H/T India Today)

Meanwhile, at CSK, Ashwin would also be reuniting with his longtime spin partner Ravindra Jadeja. The duo still remains one of the IPL’s most successful spin partnerships. Ashwin is Chennai Super Kings’ third-highest wicket-taker of all time, with 120 scalps in just 121 appearances.