When MS Dhoni got angry with Ashwin, the spinner reveals the story

Ravichandran Ashwin recently shared an interesting story involving MS Dhoni from the early days of his cricket career. The veteran spinner revealed that Dhoni was once irritated by his aggressive celebration after dismissing him in a domestic match, a moment that later became an important turning point in Ashwin’s IPL journey.

Ashwin said that getting opportunities in the Chennai Super Kings playing XI during the early IPL seasons was extremely difficult. With legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan leading the attack, Ashwin had very limited chances despite being part of the squad. He played only a handful of matches and was still trying to establish himself in top-level cricket.

The moment that annoyed Dhoni

The incident took place during a Challenger Trophy match when Ashwin dismissed Dhoni twice. On one occasion, Dhoni mistimed a shot towards deep cover, and Ashwin completed the catch before celebrating with great excitement. The celebration caught Dhoni’s attention immediately.

Also Read । DC vs KKR: KL Rahul, Rinku Singh among key players to watch in crucial IPL 2026 clash

According to Ashwin, Dhoni looked at him and asked, "In the Challenger Trophy, I got a chance to bowl to Dhoni. Dhoni got out twice against our team. Once, he hit a shot towards deep cover, and I took a diving catch. I celebrated it so much that he actually got annoyed. He was like, ‘What’s there to celebrate so much? '

The spinner also added ‘Getting your wicket was my dream. Maybe this will open a door for me in CSK.' The next year, I got my chance.” Ashwin quickly became a key player for the Chennai Super Kings and ultimately emerged as one of the finest spinners in international cricket.

From young spinner to CSK mainstay

Under Dhoni’s captaincy, Ashwin flourished in the IPL and played a major role in the Chennai Super Kings’ success during the early years of the tournament. Ashwin said on JioStar's 'The Ravichandran Ashwin Experience, “It took me a long time, six or seven years, to understand the enormity of the situation. I had no other option. Muttiah Muralitharan was in the team, a legend, bowling his full quota, so I wasn’t getting chances. I didn’t play in 2008, but in 2009, I got my first game in Cape Town, against the Mumbai Indians, against Sachin Tendulkar. Between 2009 and 2010, I still didn’t get many opportunities."

Also Read । IPL 2026: PBKS ban Arshdeep Singh’s vlogging as franchises tighten discipline amid controversies

The partnership between Dhoni and Ashwin later became one of the strongest captain-bowler combinations in the league.

The incident also highlighted the respect young cricketers had for Dhoni during that period. For Ashwin, taking the wicket of India’s captain was not just another dismissal but a memorable moment that carried great emotional value and motivation for his career.