Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India's most distinguished cricketers of his era, recently announced his retirement from international cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ending his India career with 106 Test caps, Ashwin revealed that his original plan was to step down after his 100th Test, which was played against England in Dharamsala.
For that milestone match, Ashwin had hoped to have his former captain, MS Dhoni, present to hand him a memento, but unfortunately, Dhoni was unable to attend.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) organized a special ceremony for Ashwin's 100th Test, providing him a memento to commemorate the occasion.
Despite missing out on a personal gesture from Dhoni then, Ashwin expressed that he received a significant and unexpected gift later. During a book launch event in Chennai, Ashwin shared that Dhoni, as the mentor of Chennai Super Kings, facilitated his return to the franchise in the 2025 IPL auction.
Reflecting on this development, Ashwin remarked, "I reached out to MS for my 100th Test at Dharamshala, hoping he'd hand over the memento. I intended it to be my last Test, but he couldn't be there. However, bringing me back to CSK was an even better gift. Thank you, MS. It's great to be here."
Ashwin began his IPL journey with Chennai Super Kings in 2008 and now rejoins the team, marking his return to the five-time champions for the first time since his departure in 2015. Over the years, he has played for several franchises, including Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Delhi Capitals.
"Returning to CSK, I'm not here as someone who's achieved a lot, but someone who's come full circle. I want to enjoy it as much as I did before. It's a wonderful environment to be in," he added.
Ashwin's return to CSK symbolizes a homecoming for a player who has experienced a storied career, both nationally and in the IPL, and he looks forward to embracing the camaraderie and spirit of his original team once more.