While Ravichandran Ashwin is a household name for his exceptional spin bowling, it was his batting that surprised everyone recently in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). Opening the innings for the Dindigul Dragons, Ashwin smashed an unbeaten 45 runs off just 20 balls, leaving everyone in awe. The knock, laced with 3 fours and 4 sixes at a blistering strike rate of 225, went viral on social media despite his team’s eventual loss in a rain-shortened match.

This aggressive batting display came as a reminder of Ashwin’s well-rounded cricketing skills. Interestingly, Ravichandran Ashwin recently opened up about his early days with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, where his talent truly began to flourish.

On a sports talk show, Ashwin revealed a funny anecdote about Dhoni possibly not even recognizing him in their first year together at CSK. But it was under Dhoni’s leadership that Ashwin, then a young player, received his big break as a powerplay bowler.

Captain. Opener. Top Scorer. 😎

Ash Anna scored a thunderous 45* while the 7 other batters combined for just 21. MASS! 🔥#TNPLonFanCode @ashwinravi99 pic.twitter.com/RWac8GL60y

— FanCode (@FanCode) July 15, 2024

“I think Dhoni, for the first year, probably didn’t even know I existed,” Ravichandran Ashwin said with a chuckle. “He might have known, but that’s Dhoni for you! I’ve known him closely for almost 17 years now, and he’s still the same guy he was in 2008-09. That’s fascinating to me.”

Ravichandran Ashwin reminisced about a specific match in 2010 where Dhoni got injured after being hit by a Shane Bond delivery. This forced Dhoni out of the game, leaving Suresh Raina in charge. The bowling strategy changed with Ashwin not being used in the powerplay overs. The team even lost a few matches during this period.

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“It wasn’t a good time for me,” Ravichandran Ashwin confessed. “I felt I had let the team down.” However, things took a turn for the better when Dhoni returned to captaincy. Ashwin recalled Dhoni’s unwavering belief in him: “He came back and said, ‘I want that guy back.'”

Dhoni reinstated Ashwin’s role as the new-ball bowler, utilizing him effectively in the powerplay overs. This strategy proved successful, with Ashwin dismissing key players like Adam Gilchrist. Dhoni continued to use Ashwin in this crucial role for several years, even in international matches for India.

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“Dhoni had a very simple yet impactful way of using me,” Ravichandran Ashwin said. “He had immense faith in my abilities, and that really boosted my confidence.”

Ravichandran Ashwin’s recent batting heroics and his candid conversation about Dhoni’s leadership highlight his talent and the importance of having a captain who believes in you. It serves as a reminder that even the best bowlers can surprise everyone with their batting prowess, and strong captaincy can unlock a player’s true potential.