Ravichandran Ashwin made a surprising exit from international cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia. Ravichandran Ashwin called time on his celebrated international career during the Brisbane Test against Australia in December last year.
The legendary off-spinner’s sudden decision to step away from international cricket stunned the entire cricket world, but Ashwin has now revealed that he had been considering stepping away from the game much earlier with an MS Dhoni bombshell.
Ravichandran Ashwin revealed he wanted to retire after 100th Test
Ashwin revealed that he originally planned to retire after his 100th Test in Dharamsala. He had even invited former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni to be part of the occasion and hand him the commemorative memento. However, Dhoni couldn’t attend Ashwin’s special match.
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But the former Indian off-spinner sees his return to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the upcoming IPL 2025 as an even greater gift from MS Dhoni and thanked the five-time IPL-winning captain for the same during a book launch event on Sunday (March 16).
Ashwin called MS Dhoni for his 100th Test, but he couldn’t make it
Ravichandran Ashwin was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times, “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.”
Notably, the former Indian all-rounder played his 100th Test match against England in Dharamsala, where he delivered a stellar performance, claiming nine wickets in the fifth and final Test in March 2024. The BCCI had also organized a special ceremony to celebrate Ashwin’s milestone and honor his contributions to Indian cricket.
Ashwin aims fresh start with CSK in the IPL
The off-spinner also gave an emotional speech at the ceremony. Meanwhile, Ashwin has also insisted that he is coming back to CSK as a veteran with accolades but as someone eager to embrace the game once again, just as he did in the early days. Notably, the Chennai franchise has signed the seasoned spinner for INR 9.75 crore at the mega auction.
Ashwin signed off by saying, “Most importantly, I have come back to CSK not as someone who has achieved so much but as someone who has gone through the full circle and wants to come back here and enjoy it just like before. It is a wonderful place to be.”
Ravichandran Ashwin’s international career in numbers
Ashwin finished his international career as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in all formats. He played 106 Tests, 116 ODIs, and 65 T20Is, taking a total of 765 wickets in the international arena. In Tests, he claimed 537 wickets, including 37 five-wicket hauls. He was also part of India’s winning squads in the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy.
The off-spinner will be seen in action on March 23 when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will take on the Mumbai Indians (MI) in their IPL 2025 opener at the M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
