MS Dhoni Gave Ravichandran Ashwin Same Advice For 15 Years, He Finally Understood Why

Ravichandran Ashwin, celebrated as one of the premier spinners in cricket history, has left an indelible mark on Indian cricket. Beginning his journey with the Chennai Super Kings as an off-spinner, Ashwin swiftly ascended to prominence, eventually becoming a cornerstone for Team India, particularly in Test cricket. His career has been greatly influenced by his time under the guidance of the legendary MS Dhoni.

In a candid conversation on RevSportz, Ashwin revealed that initially, Dhoni may not have been aware of him for the first year, but under Dhoni’s leadership at CSK, Ashwin began to flourish, notably as a bowler in powerplay situations. Reflecting on their longstanding relationship spanning over 15 years, Ashwin admires Dhoni’s consistent approach from his early days in 2008-09 to the present in 2024. He recalled a pivotal IPL match in 2010 when Dhoni’s leadership was tested after an injury, and Ashwin stepped up, making a mark by dismissing key players like Shane Bond and Adam Gilchrist.

Throughout their association, Dhoni imparted a simple yet profound piece of advice to Ashwin—to continually reinvent himself and maintain his unconventional style (“to continue being funky”). Even at 37 years old, Ashwin remains committed to developing new variations in his bowling, ensuring he remains a formidable opponent for batsmen.

Beyond cricketing skills, Ashwin acknowledges Dhoni’s keen eye for mental strength and aptitude, evident in how he nurtured players like Tushar Deshpande at CSK. This holistic approach has contributed significantly to both Ashwin’s development as a player and his enduring respect for Dhoni’s leadership and mentorship.