‘I Called MS Dhoni For My 100th Test...’ Ashwin Reveals Interesting Retirement Tale

Months after his retirement, former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin revealed that he wanted to retire after his 100th Test in Dharamsala against England. However, in a rather interesting turn of events, MS Dhoni’s failure to turn up led to the off-spinner continuing his journey for a few more games before calling it quits in Australia. 

Ashwin revealed that he wanted Dhoni to hand him his memento for his 100th Test, but the former Indian skipper wasn't at the venue. But Ashwin insisted that Dhoni had given him a bigger gift - getting him back to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) - a franchise where Ashwin first played IPL. 

"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," said Ashwin during a book launch event in Chennai on Sunday.

Since not being retained by CSK in 2018, Ashwin has done the whole IPL trip, moving to Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals before returning to where it all started for him. 

"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 just like before. It is a wonderful place to be," he added.