R. Ashwin reveals how K. Srikkanth helped him earn his first IPL contract

Veteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was felicitated by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) on Saturday, March 17 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai for completing 100 Tests and 500 wickets in the longest format. BCCI President Roger Binny, former BCCI President N. Srinivasan and legendary India wrist spinner Anil Kumble graced the event with their presence to celebrate Ashwin’s milestones.

Speaking at the event, the 37-year-old recalled how he was selected to play for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League. Ashwin revealed how the former India cricketer K Srikkanth praised him in front of CSK CEO KS Viswanathan after his Player of the Match performance for India Cements.

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“I would definitely not be able to sleep tonight if I do not recall this instance. In 2008, I was playing a (TNCA first-division) game for Jolly Rovers CC against India Cements (Vijay CC). I picked up six wickets and went back home as Man of the Match. K Srikkanth was the chief guest that night. He picked up the mic and said: ‘Ashwin, you bowled superbly. You should go to Chennai Super Kings and learn from Muttiah Muralitharan,” Ashwin was quoted as saying by Times of India.

The legendary spinner further said that, that moment changed his life forever as he was picked up the CSK next day.

“I was famished because I was not in the (CSK) team. We did not have auctions (for domestic players) at that time. He turned to Kasi (CSK CEO KS Viswanathan) and said: ‘Are you not taking him in the team?’ That particular line changed my life altogether. I received a contract from CSK the next day,” he added.

R. Ashwin won two IPL titles with CSK

Notably, Ashwin made his IPL debut in 2009 and went on to play for CSK till 2015. He was a part of two title triumphs of the MS Dhoni-led side and was his go-to spinner. Following his good performances for the franchise in 2010 and 2011, Ashwin also earned his maiden India call-up and went on to play in the 2011 ODI World Cup as well. Since then, the cricketer didn’t look back and has become a regular mainstay in the Indian side across all three formats.

Also Read: Dravid, Shastri, Kumble praise Ravichandran Ashwin's contribution to Indian cricket at TNCA event

He recently became the second-fastest bowler to reach 500 wickets in Tests completing the landmark in 98 Tests during the third Test against England. He further finished as the leading wicket-taker in the series with 26 wickets to his name from ten innings at an average of 24.8 and an economy of 4.12. Courtesy of his performance, he also climbed to the top of the ICC Test bowling rankings dethroning Jasprit Bumrah.