"Wanted to retire after 100th test…" Ravi Ashwin reveals MS Dhoni's role in the former's homecoming to CSK

Ravi Ashwin was bought by CSK at IPL 2025 mega auction for INR 9.75 crores.

Ravi Ashwin showed his gratitude to his former India captain MS Dhoni and stated that it was the ex-Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain who brought him back into the Yellow Army fold by having CSK buy him at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction.

Ashwin, who previously played for Rajasthan Royals (RR) for three seasons, was not retained by the franchise and instead went into the IPL 2025 auction. He was bought by CSK for INR 9.75 crores. Incidentally, Ashwin retired from all international cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, tour of Australia after the second test match.

During a recent chat, Ashwin revealed that he planned to retire after playing his 100th test match and had even invited MS Dhoni to the big event. Ashwin made his 100th test appearance against England on March 5, 2024, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.

Invited MS Dhoni to give me the plaque for my 100th test: Ravi Ashwin

The off-spinner performed admirably in his special test, taking nine wickets to help India win by an innings and 64 runs and seal the series 4-1. Ashwin shockingly revealed that he intended to bid farewell to the game after his historic test, even asking Dhoni to provide him with a special memento from the game. But the former India captain couldn’t make it.

“I called MS Dhoni for my 100th Test in Dharamshala to hand over the memento. I wanted to make that my last Test. But he couldn’t make it. However, I didn’t think he would give me the gift of getting me back to CSK. It’s a much better one. So, thank you, MS, for doing it. I’m glad to be here,” Ashwin was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Ashwin reminisced about his first season in the IPL with CSK and stated that he would always be grateful to Dhoni for the chances.

“In 2008 I met all the greats (in CSK dressing room) Mathew Hayden and MS Dhoni. I sat through (IPL) 2008. 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. He gave me an opportunity with the new ball to go head-on with Chris Gayle and 17 years later Anil bhai would be talking about the same episode,” he added.

Ashwin will be returning to CSK after eight seasons, having last played for the franchise back in 2015. He will be reuniting with his long-time spin partner Ravindra Jadeja in the franchise.

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